Free Speech Movement (FSM)

The Free Speech Movement (FSM) was a student-led protest at the University of California, Berkeley, in the early 1960s. Students challenged the university’s restrictions on political activities and free expression on campus. They believed individuals should have the right to speak, debate, and organize without censorship. The movement marked a significant push for First Amendment rights within educational settings, influencing broader societal attitudes toward free speech and civil rights. It ultimately helped establish the importance of free expression in academic environments and inspired future activism.