The First Amendment of the Constitution is a sacred, inalienable American right and all of us, from every sector in the United States, must lend our voices when the rights of speech and expression protected by it are threatened. The McKnight Foundation forcefully condemns political violence that undermines this cornerstone of our democracy. We equally condemn attempts to launch politically motivated investigations and advance narratives designed to silence the freedom of speech and expression of those with whom they disagree.
Recent attacks on charitable foundations and nonprofits, which are part of a centuries-long American tradition of philanthropy, threaten not only core American values, but the people and communities that count on us. Philanthropic organizations show up — stepping up in moments of crisis, standing with communities where there is greatest need and opportunity, and scaling local ideas into national solutions.
The McKnight Foundation stands in solidarity with our partners in philanthropy, and other sectors under assault, in defending their freedom to speak and their freedom to give to causes and issues that align with their values and mission. This includes the fundamental rights to contest ideas and to protest in accordance with the law. We urge all our partners in philanthropy and leaders across the public and private sectors to stand up and do the same.
