Amendment One: Freedom of Speech

AMENDMENT I

FREEDOM OF RELIGION, SPEECH, PRESS,

 ASSEMBLY, AND PETITION

What is it?
Passed by Congress: 25 September 1789 Ratified: 15 December 1791 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.

Why was it written?
The First Amendment was written because at America’s inception, citizens demanded a guarantee of their basic freedoms. The First Amendment allows citizens to express opinions and views. It was intended to ensure a free exchange of ideas even if the ideas are unpopular.
Freedom of Religion: The First Amendment's free exercise clause allows a person to hold whatever religious beliefs he or she wants, and to exercise that belief by attending religious services, praying in public or in private, proselytizing or wearing religious clothing, such as yarmulkes or headscarves. Also included in the free exercise clause is the right not to believe in any religion, and the right not to participate in religious activities.

Why is it important?

The First Amendment is one run-on sentence that enshrines five of the most essential liberties
guaranteed by American democracy: the freedom of religion, the freedom of speech, the freedom of the press, the freedom of assembly, and the right to petition the government. The First Amendment is the core of all civil rights and civil liberties law in the United States.

How is this involved with today?

Violence erupted in the St. Louis area overnight, leading to more than 80 arrests, as protesters fired more than 100 gunshots and burned and looted as many as 25 buildings and vandalized police cars in Ferguson, Mo., after a grand jury did not indict a white police officer who shot and killed an 18-year-old black man in August, authorities said Tuesday morning.