Tag Archives: The Rutherford Institute

1982-2012: The Rutherford Institute Celebrates 30 Years in the Fight for Freedom in America

“I often believe that John Whitehead is channeling the principles of James Madison, who would be very proud of him.”—Nat Hentoff, nationally syndicated columnist

“The Founding Fathers, reinforced by the famous commentator Alexis de Tocqueville, understood that civic responsibility and civic organizations—these private collections of individuals—were what were to hold the Constitution together. It wasn’t a document just for government officials. And The Rutherford Institute has cultivated the highest level of civic understanding of the Constitution and of the individual responsibility to make the Constitution life and blood in their daily lives and in their professional ambitions. And if The Rutherford Institute is imitated throughout the country, we’re in good stead for the 21st century.”—Bruce Fein, former associate deputy attorney general under President Ronald Reagan

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. —Founded in 1982 by constitutional attorney John W. Whitehead, The Rutherford Institute will celebrate its 30th anniversary on June 29, 2012. Over the course of the past 30 years, The Rutherford Institute has grown into a fighting force for freedom, a national organization that commands both attention and respect, with affiliate attorneys and members stretching across the United States. Institute attorneys have defended the rights of countless individuals in their struggle for freedom and human rights in the face of oppressive regimes, both government and private agencies. This assistance has extended into virtually every area of life, including the schools, home, workplace and state and federal agencies. The Rutherford Institute has been privileged to work alongside and defend great freedom fighters, in addition to arguing and winning cases at virtually every court level in the land, including the United States Supreme Court.

“While it is a milestone in the life of any organization, this anniversary is significant not only because of what was begun years ago but because of the work that continues today,” said John W. Whitehead, president of The Rutherford Institute. “If we can continue to safeguard the freedoms cherished by so many generations of Americans, we will have done our part to ensure that this nation remains free.”

Founded in 1982, The Rutherford Institute is a civil liberties organization that provides free legal services to people whose constitutional and human rights have been threatened or violated. The Rutherford Institute has emerged as one of the nation’s leading advocates of civil liberties and human rights, litigating in the courts and educating the public on a wide spectrum of issues affecting individual freedom in the United States and around the world.