Liberty Central
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| Formation | 2009 |
|---|---|
| Legal status | 501(c)(4) |
| Headquarters | Washington, DC |
|
Region served
|
United States |
|
President and CEO
|
Virginia Thomas |
|
Volunteers
|
online activists |
| Website | Liberty Central |
Liberty Central is a non-profit conservative political advocacy group founded in 2009 by Virginia Thomas, the wife of U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice, Clarence Thomas. Virginia Thomas is the President and CEO.[1]
Mission
Its declared purpose is stated on its website as "America’s Public Square. We Listen. We Inspire. We Activate ... to secure the blessings of liberty."[2] The organization was promoted at the 2010 Conservative Political Action Conference as "an online community for those seeking to "preserve freedom and reaffirm the core founding principles."[3] Ed Morrissey, a prominent conservative blogger who runs Hotair.com, said the Liberty Central site would provide education in history and the Constitution for tea party activists.[3]
Funding
The group was founded with seed money of $550,000 coming from two donors whose names were undisclosed.[4] In a February 2011 article, Politico reported that the initial $500,000 contribution came from Dallas real estate investor and conservative philanthropist Harlan Crow[5][6]
Activities
Liberty Central activities have included hosting a live web cast on October 20, 2010, in conjunction with the Family Research Council to protest the January 2011 expiration of tax cuts that were passed in 2001 and 2003.[1]
According to United Press International, the Liberty Central group has been highly critical of U.S. President Barack Obama.[4]
Criticism
Thomas has been criticized for her involvement in Liberty Central because someone who contributes to the group may have a case before the Supreme Court.[4] However, there is no law limiting what Thomas can do, and according to some legal experts Supreme Court Justices are not required to recuse themselves from cases where they may have a conflict of interest.[4]
On October 21, 2010, Thomas was specifically criticized for taking a position, via Liberty Central, on an issue that was likely to come before the Supreme Court - whether the 2010 health care legislation was unconstitutional.[7] A memo signed by Thomas that called for the repeal of the law and that was posted on the Liberty Central website was removed following the criticism. A Liberty Central spokesperson explained that Thomas had not personally reviewed the memo and that it been mistakenly approved by a staff member, and had been circulated by another group, the Conservative Action Project.[7][8]
References
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External links
- Liberty Central Website
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