Mission & History

Our Vision

We envision an American society that understands, values, defends, and vigorously exercises free expression in a just, egalitarian, diverse, and inclusive democracy.

Our Mission

Every generation of Americans faces new and significant challenges to free expression. For almost 50 years, NCAC has acted as a first responder to protect this freedom, which is both a fundamental human right and a keystone of democracy in the ever-changing American nation. We promote freedom of thought and inquiry and oppose censorship. When controversy occurs, we encourage and facilitate dialogue between divergent voices and perspectives, including those that have historically been silenced.

Achieving Our Mission

We provide direct intervention for people and groups facing censorship in their communities.

We serve:

    • Students, teachers, librarians, parents and others opposing censorship in schools and libraries
    • Artists, curators and museum directors resisting art censorship
    • Writers and publishers
    • Activists and protestors
    • Dramatists, filmmakers, creators of all forms of art and cultural production
    • Our coalition partners

Read about our core beliefs.

Our History

The National Coalition Against Censorship was formed by a group of activists affiliated with the ACLU in response to the 1973 Supreme Court decision in Miller v. California, which narrowed First Amendment protections for sexual expression and opened the door to obscenity prosecutions. As an alliance of more than 50 national non-profits, including literary, artistic, religious, educational, professional, labor, and civil liberties groups, we have engaged in direct advocacy and education to support First Amendment principles for over 40 years.

View our Coalition Members and Guidelines for joining.