Liberty was founded in 1934 as the National Council for Civil Liberties, principally to monitor the policing of protests. 
NCCL (renamed Liberty in 1989) has campaigned to protect and promote rights and freedoms for over 70 years. 

Our founder, Ronald Kidd, created the Council because he was concerned about the use of police agent provocateurs to incite violence during the hunger marches of 1932.

President of the first Council was E.M. Forster, with vice-presidents including Clement Attlee, Aneurin Bevan, A.A. Milne, J.B. Priestley and Bertrand Russell. 

Passionate in his hatred of injustice, wise in judgement, fearless in action, he championed the liberties of the people in the fight that is never done.
E.M. Forster's tribute to founder Ronald Kidd, written on a plaque which hangs in Liberty's office.

Since then, Liberty’s causes have been many and varied. We have taken a stand against the misuse of police powers, censorship, and the use of torture. We have fought for gay and lesbian rights, equal pay for women, freedom of speech and assembly.

If it didn’t exist it would be necessary to invent it without delay. If it died, a successor would have to be organised at once.
Journalist and police officer CH Rolph on the NCCL, 1974

For the best part of a century, Liberty members have acted as the conscience of a nation, fighting injustice and placing principle above populism when others have faltered. Among periods of political turbulence and financial instability, what has remained constant is our sense of purpose.

Almost 75 years later, with the UK's complicity with torture and threats to privacy, free speech and protest rights in the news daily, Liberty's work is far from over.