For more than 100 years after the ratification of the Constitution, the First Amendment secured citizens freedoms in principle only. During the twentieth century people have tested the boundaries of the freedoms of the First Amendment in the courts. Through the precedences set by these cases, the freedoms of the First Amendment have become clarified and solidified. It remains the absolute most effective instrument for securing the sacred freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and a redress of grievances by the American public.
Establishment of Religion:
The First Amendment ensures freedom of religion in two provisions — the Establishment clause, which disallows the government from building up an official church, and the Free Exercise …show more content…
Speech with Action is not as strongly protected as Pure Speech. Past court decisions have limited activities involving Speech with Action, such as, trespass, blocking movement and jeopardizing general public.
Symbolic Speech is the use of images to express points of view. Symbolic speech is the most often restricted.
Freedom of the Press:
A significant number of the same freedoms that apply to individuals under the Freedom of Speech also apply to the press under the Freedom of Press.
A free press serves a key role in society by providing the public access to information from multiple sources. Freedom of the press applies to more than printed materials such as newspapers, books, it also covers media, such as TV and radio. Online content, handouts and flyers are also protected under the Freedom of the Press.
Freedom of Assembly:
The Freedom of Assembly protects the right of citizens to gather openly and in private. Religious, political, and recreational gatherings are all protected.
The courts have been particularly protective of the Freedom to Assemble. Previous Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes composed, "Peaceable assembly for lawful discussion cannot be made a …show more content…
The high school already had about 30 clubs, including a chess club and a scuba-diving club. The principal denied the student's request, telling her that a religious club would be illegal in a public school. The year before, in 1984, Congress passed the Equal Access Act which required public schools to allow religious and political clubs if other clubs were allowed. The student challenged the decision not to allow her to create a Christian club and her lawsuit became the the Supreme Court's test case to determine whether the Equal Access Act was constitutional under the First
Establishment of Religion:
The First Amendment ensures freedom of religion in two provisions — the Establishment clause, which disallows the government from building up an official church, and the Free Exercise …show more content…
Speech with Action is not as strongly protected as Pure Speech. Past court decisions have limited activities involving Speech with Action, such as, trespass, blocking movement and jeopardizing general public.
Symbolic Speech is the use of images to express points of view. Symbolic speech is the most often restricted.
Freedom of the Press:
A significant number of the same freedoms that apply to individuals under the Freedom of Speech also apply to the press under the Freedom of Press.
A free press serves a key role in society by providing the public access to information from multiple sources. Freedom of the press applies to more than printed materials such as newspapers, books, it also covers media, such as TV and radio. Online content, handouts and flyers are also protected under the Freedom of the Press.
Freedom of Assembly:
The Freedom of Assembly protects the right of citizens to gather openly and in private. Religious, political, and recreational gatherings are all protected.
The courts have been particularly protective of the Freedom to Assemble. Previous Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes composed, "Peaceable assembly for lawful discussion cannot be made a …show more content…
The high school already had about 30 clubs, including a chess club and a scuba-diving club. The principal denied the student's request, telling her that a religious club would be illegal in a public school. The year before, in 1984, Congress passed the Equal Access Act which required public schools to allow religious and political clubs if other clubs were allowed. The student challenged the decision not to allow her to create a Christian club and her lawsuit became the the Supreme Court's test case to determine whether the Equal Access Act was constitutional under the First