Protect the Protest is a taskforce of nonprofit organizations that have combined our expertise and collective power to fight back against SLAPPs and protect the free speech of public interest advocates in the United States.

Anti-SLAPP Taskforce

Who we are

Our taskforce includes experienced lawyers, journalists, communications professionals, and activists. (See full list of coalition members below.) The threat we face is serious, and so is our resolve to fight back. We believe that free speech, freedom of assembly, and peaceful dissent are fundamental pillars of democracy. and we stand together as one to expose courtroom bullying and protect the right to boldly speak the truth.

We provide expert support to targets of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), emboldening public watchdogs to continue their efforts with confidence. If you need support, you can contact us.

Our approach

  • Build Resilience to SLAPPs - We provide education, resources, and training for civil society organizations, community leaders, journalists, and the broader public on how to best protect themselves from SLAPPs and what to do if they’re targeted. This includes a network of attorneys to defend those facing SLAPPs, especially individuals and small organizations with extremely limited resources.

  • Expose SLAPPs and Those Who File Them - We draw on our own organizations’ campaign, communications, and legal expertise to support public interest advocates and watchdogs targeted by SLAPPs. This includes campaigning against the biggest SLAPP offenders, as well as legal defense where resources allow.

  • Campaign on Strategic Issues - When a specific SLAPP poses a broader threat to civil society or to democracy, we mobilize our collective resources to protect the rights to free speech and peaceful protest. Likewise, when opportunities arise to advance anti-SLAPP policies or laws, we engage in close collaboration with other stakeholders.

Current Coalition Members

Join the Protect the Protest Coalition!

Ending the threat posed by SLAPPs requires cooperation across the political spectrum and across different sectors. If you’d like to join the Protect the Protest coalition as a member organization, or support the movement to end SLAPPs in another way, please reach out to info@protecttheprotest.org.