About the Bill of Rights Defense Committee
Our mission
The Bill of Rights Defense Committee (BORDC) is a national non-profit grassroots organization. We defend the rule of law and rights and liberties challenged by overbroad national security and counter-terrorism policies. We support an ideologically, ethnically, geographically, and generationally diverse grassroots movement to protect and restore these principles by encouraging widespread civic participation; educating people about the significance of our rights; and cultivating grassroots networks to convert concern, outrage, and fear into debate and action.
Our vision and values
Every person under U.S. jurisdiction or control is entitled to Bill of Rights protections. At all times and especially when federal, state, or local governments propose or enact laws or policies that threaten or deny those rights, the people organize, exercising those same rights in the service of protecting them. Most people understand that the country cannot be made safer by sacrificing some rights for all or part of its population. When the people know and exercise their rights, the liberties guaranteed by the Bill of Rights hold firm and remain self-sustaining.
BORDC is guided by the Bill of Rights, which was adopted to limit the power of the state over individuals and to preserve basic human and individual rights for every person under U.S. jurisdiction or control, even in times of war or other national crises, and regardless of who holds elected power. The standards of the Bill of Rights define the fundamental protections for every person in our society, namely:
- First Amendment rights of freedom of speech and religion, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and freedom to dissent;
- Liberty from unwarranted government intrusion;
- Nondiscrimination and equal protection of the law;
- The expectation of privacy, and protection from unreasonable search and seizure;
- Due process of law and freedom from arbitrary imprisonment via habeas corpus;
- A speedy and public trial by an impartial jury; and
- Protection from cruel and unusual punishment.
For more information, see this brochure about the Bill of Rights Defense Committee.
Our activities
As a grassroots advocacy organization, BORDC does not offer individual legal advice or representation. Instead, we advocate for policies that will protect all of our civil liberties.
For more on our work, see this summary of our efforts in 2011.
Who we are
Read biographies of our staff, board of directors, and advisory board.
Who funds us
The Bill of Rights Defense Committee receives its funding from foundations and individual private donors representing interests across the political spectrum. BORDC supporters include concerned Americans from all walks of life, ethnic communities, and parts of the country.
For more information on BORDC's financials, see our most recent 990 forms: 2009, 2008, 2007, and 2006.