The Six Freedoms of the First Amendment

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What does the First Amendment state?

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” (U.S. Const. amend I.).


What does this mean?

Explained simply, the First Amendment forbids the government from promoting one religion over another. It also forbids the government from restricting peaceful protests, speech and press.


The Six Freedoms

  1. Freedom from religion

  2. Freedom of religion

  3. Speech

  4. Press

  5. Assembly

  6. Petition 

The Six Freedoms in the First Amendment are negative rights. This means that these are things the government cannot do. For example, the government can’t abrid your freedom of speech.


What does the First Amendment condone? What does the First Amendment not condone? 

Though the First Amendment does protect freedom of speech, it does not mean that a person can say and do whatever they please without consequence. For example, you are not allowed to shout “fire” in a crowded theatre without punishment. This comes from Oliver Wendall Holmes Jr.’s input that when a person’s words are putting others in danger, the government can abridge their freedom of speech.


The First Amendment in Action Today

The First Amendment protects the right to protest peacefully. Recently in society, there have been many protests for the Black Lives Matter Movement. In a report from the Times, it was stated that 93% of BLM protests have been peaceful, “more than 2,400 locations reported peaceful protests, while fewer than 220 reported “violent demonstrations.” The authors define violent demonstrations as including “acts targeting other individuals, property, businesses, other rioting groups or armed actors.” Their definition includes anything from “fighting back against police” to vandalism, property destruction looting, road-blocking using barricades, burning tires or other materials. In cities where protests did turn violent—these demonstrations are “largely confined to specific blocks”” (Mansor). The problem comes in when these peaceful protests turn violent.



For more information about the First Amendment check out: https://www.freedomforuminstitute.org/first-amendment-center/first-amendment-faq/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zeeq0qaEaLw


Source:

https://time.com/5886348/report-peaceful-protests/


Picture source:

https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/reports/a32740589/black-lives-matter-protests-peaceful-moments/


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