The First Amendment-- What is it?

The First Amendment of the Constitution was ratified on December 15th, 1791. Among ten other amendments included in the Bill of Rights, the First Amendment guarantees American citizens the protected freedom to establish and exercise religion, along with the freedoms of speech, press, and assembly. Among these freedoms, uninhibited speech is most commonly cited within America today. Legally, the U.S. government is prohibited from creating laws which restrict free speech. For example, the government cannot write a law that penalize citizens for expressing their dissenting opinions of war. Although the Constitution promises this right to everyone, it is ultimately left to the Supreme Court to decide whether a person or entity's actions are protected by the Constitution. Over the years since the First Amendment's appointment, the Supreme Court has made revisions and additional regulations through the decision of several case rulings. For example, in 1965 a case called Tinker v. Des Moines caused the Supreme Court to make an exception to the free speech rule, singling out free speech in the context of public schools as a medium that can be regulated by school administration for the sake of the establishments' operation and reputation. Other exceptions to this law outlined throughout history include obscenity, plagiarism, defamation, and true threats. In relation to the validity of Samidoun's actions in support of a sanctioned terrorist group, there is evidence to support it's unconstitutionality.

“Freedom of Speech ‑ Origins, First Amendment & Limits.” History.Com, A&E Television Networks, www.history.com/topics/united-states-constitution/freedom-of-speech#section_1. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.