A version of these remarks were delivered by Executive Director Matt Patterson at the steps of the Supreme Court on January 11, 2016, in support of Rebecca Friedrichs.

The Justinian Code.  The Magna Carta.  The English Bill of Rights.  The French Declaration of the Rights of Man.  The United States Constitution.  

All landmarks in the march toward rule of law and civil liberty.

Chief amongst those liberties, and most dearly cherished, are freedom of association and freedom of speech.  Which is why the Founders, in their wisdom, enshrined them in our very First Amendment.

But for too long unions have been given license to infringe upon the First Amendment rights of millions of American workers.  Forced dues.  Forced fees.  Coming between a worker and her boss.  How is this not a violation of freedom of association?

Imagine if our friends on the other side were told they were required to join and pay dues to the National Rifle Association (NRA) as a condition of employment.  Do you think they would like that?  Of course not - they'd be outraged, and rightly so.  

And no court would allow it.

No, the NRA, like every other private organization in America, must fund its operations and fill its roles with voluntary contributions and voluntary members.

Let unions do the same.

I'm excited about the movement represented here today, at this great institution.  A movement of millions of workers and communities rising up and joining that great march toward civil liberty.  Fighting for the right to associate as they see fit, and -- more importantly -- to keep their own money!

From farmworkers in the Central Valley fighting forced unionization, to counties in Kentucky fighting for the right to give their workers choice, to the teachers standing at the Supreme Court of the United States today, workers are finally demanding -- and taking -- only what was long promised them:

Freedom.

I'll close by paraphrasing that late, great poet David Bowie.  We could be heroes.  Rebecca Friedrichs is my hero.

Thank you very much.