About Restore the fourth
Restore the Fourth: Advocating for Privacy and Freedom
Restore the Fourth is a non-partisan, non-violent advocacy and protest movement that aims to put an end to the US's unconstitutional surveillance methods. The organization was founded in 2013 by a group of concerned citizens who were alarmed by the government's mass surveillance programs, which they believed violated their constitutional rights.
The name "Restore the Fourth" refers to the Fourth Amendment of the US Constitution, which protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures. The founders of Restore the Fourth believe that this amendment has been eroded by government surveillance programs such as PRISM, XKeyscore, and other initiatives revealed by Edward Snowden.
The mission of Restore the Fourth is to raise awareness about these issues and advocate for change. The organization believes that privacy is a fundamental human right that should be protected at all costs. They argue that mass surveillance not only violates individual privacy but also undermines democracy itself.
To achieve its goals, Restore the Fourth engages in various activities such as protests, rallies, petitions, lobbying efforts, and educational campaigns. The organization has chapters in several cities across America and collaborates with other civil liberties groups such as EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation), ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union), Fight for Future, Demand Progress among others.
One of Restore the Fourth's most significant achievements was its role in stopping CISPA (Cyber Intelligence Sharing Protection Act) from becoming law in 2013. CISPA was a bill that would have allowed private companies to share user data with government agencies without proper oversight or accountability. Restore the Fourth mobilized thousands of people across America through social media campaigns and protests against CISPA until it was eventually defeated.
Another notable campaign led by Restore The fourth is Operation #FaxBigBrother launched on June 5th 2020 on behalf of over 100 organizations including Free Press Action Fund calling on Congress to defund Section 215 authority under FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act) and to pass the Safeguarding Americans' Private Records Act, which would end warrantless surveillance under Section 215.
Restore the Fourth's work has not gone unnoticed. The organization has been featured in various media outlets such as CNN, The Guardian, Forbes, Wired among others. Its members have also testified before Congress on issues related to privacy and surveillance.
In conclusion, Restore the Fourth is a vital organization that advocates for privacy and freedom in America. Its efforts have helped raise awareness about government surveillance programs and their impact on individual rights and democracy. Through its campaigns and activities, Restore the Fourth continues to fight for a world where privacy is respected, protected, and valued as a fundamental human right.