| Formation | 1982 |
|---|---|
| Founder | John W. Whitehead |
| Type | public interest law firm |
| Purpose | Defense of civil liberties, religious liberties, and human rights |
| Headquarters | Charlottesville |
| Location | |
| Services | Legal services |
| Website | Rutherford.org |
The Rutherford Institute is a public interest law firm dedicated to the defense of civil liberties, human rights, and religious liberties. Based in Charlottesville, Virginia, the non-profit organization's motto is "its our job to make the government play by the rules of the Constitution." The organization was founded in 1982 by John W. Whitehead, who continued to be its president as of 2015[update].[1] The Rutherford Institute offers free legal services to those who have had their rights threatened or violated. The Rutherford Institute has a network of affiliate attorneys across the United States and funds its efforts through donations. In addition to its offer of legal services, the organization offers free educational materials for those interested in the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.
While once primarily concerned with the defense of religious liberties,[2] the organization later expanded its mission to encompass other constitutional issues such as search and seizure, free speech, and zero tolerance policy.[3] Some of the institute's legal actions were widely reported, including helping Paula Jones pursue a sexual harassment lawsuit in 1997 against President Bill Clinton,[4] and its defense of middle and high school students suspended and expelled under inflexible zero tolerance policies,[5] and the free speech rights of preachers and political protestors.[6][7] Declaring that we live in a police state where "freedom has become fascism", the institute has denounced no-knock warrants and granting police qualified immunity. It also defended state laws banning homosexual conduct in Bowers v. Hardwick.[8]
The Rutherford Institute has worked with a number of similar groups across the political spectrum, including the ACLU and the Cato Institute.[9] Whitehead was described by jazz historian and civil libertarian Nat Hentoff as "this nation's Paul Revere of protecting civil liberties."[10]
- ^ "About John Whitehead". The Rutherford Institute. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
- ^ "Institute devoted to religious free speech". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. October 21, 1989. Retrieved April 16, 2012.
- ^ "Rutherford Issues". The Rutherford Institute. Retrieved April 16, 2012.
- ^ Barnes, Lindsay (2008-01-24). "Suing the president: Ten years later, John Whitehead looks back at Jones v. Clinton". The Hook.
- ^ Rhett Miller, Joshua (February 21, 2012). "Legal group goes to bat for eighth-grader suspended for using oregano in pot prank". FOX News. Retrieved April 16, 2012.
- ^ Gibson, David (April 6, 2012). "Praying for God to hurt someone is not illegal, judge rules". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 16, 2012.
- ^ Kennedy, Douglas (March 8, 2012). "Taking Liberties: The First Amendment and the right to protest". Fox News. Retrieved April 16, 2012.
- ^ "Bowers v. Hardwick". Findlaw. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
- ^ "U.S. Supreme Court Rules Student Strip Search Unconstitutional". The Rutherford Institute. Retrieved April 17, 2012.
- ^ Hentoff, Nat (April 4, 2012). "Governor Cuomo Joins the Lawless Kelly-Bloomberg Gang". The Village Voice. Retrieved April 17, 2012.