The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has announced a second round of fundraising efforts to pay for expenses associated with its legal challenge to U.S.C. 18 §2257, the federal labeling and record-keeping requirements.
The initial 2257 fundraising effort, which began before the FSC filed its original complaint in Denver federal court in June, succeeded in reaching the target goal of $200,000, an accomplishment for which FSC said it is profoundly indebted to the industry. That money has gone exclusively to pay for a world-class legal team that has performed brilliantly in court and behind the scenes, FSC said.
But the case itself has barely reached the halfway mark, and there is still a full trial to prepare for.
In a statement released today, FSC said, "In order to finish what we have begun, to break the back of these unfair and punitive regulations, and to send a clear message that the adult entertainment industry will not succumb to malicious and unconstitutional attacks upon its inherent legitimacy, we have set a specific goal of raising $250,000 by the end of January, every penny of which will be earmarked for the 2257 Legal Defense Fund."
“On behalf of virtually the entire adult industry,” says FSC Board Chair and attorney, Jeffrey Douglas, “the Free Speech Coalition hired attorneys who brought the United States Government to its knees. Although we are still awaiting the judge’s ruling on our motion for a preliminary injunction, the effort of our attorneys has prevented the enforcement of regulations hostile to, and inconsistent with, the business models of adult companies doing hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
“These seven attorneys, plus two volunteer attorneys, put in extraordinary time and effort on extraordinarily short notice to achieve the restraining order and likely preliminary injunction. We need to raise the money to pay for this outstanding effort, as well as the legal expenses yet to come. If the industry had been obliged to pay for this effort separately, rather than through the collective efforts of the Free Speech Coalition, hundreds of thousands more dollars would have been spent.
“Not only was the work done with remarkable efficiency, but each of these attorneys discounted their hourly rate to support the cause.
“Please donate generously to compensate these warriors for your freedom: Louis Sirkin, Paul Cambria, Arthur Schwartz, Jennifer Kinsley, Roger Wilcox, Michael Gross, Gregory Piccionelli and David Fisher. We need to pay them now.”
The FSC will be holding fundraising events over the coming months and into next year, and will announce them at the appropriate times, but for those who want to contribute now to either the 2257 Legal Defense Fund or to the organization generally, donations can be made through our website, www.freespeechcoalition.com, or by phone or mail.
If by mail, and the money is to be used only for 2257, please note "Only for 2257 Legal Defense Fund" on the check and mail it to: Free Speech Coalition, P.O. Box 10480, Canoga Park, Ca., 91309.
