| Liberty Central | |
|---|---|
| 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] 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]
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 revealed that the initial $500,000 contribution came from Dallas real estate investor Harlan Crow[5] (who is a major GOP donor, a trustee of the American Enterprise Institute, a major contributor to the Swift Vets and POWs for Truth group, and a personal friend of Justice Thomas.)[6]
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]
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]
According to United Press International, the Liberty Central group has been highly critical of U. S. President Barack Obama.[4]