First Amendment Under Fire-Matias L
Americans debate how tight regulations on speech should be
Intro
The first amendment: The foundation upon which the main principal of the United States is built on- freedom. The first amendment guarantees freedom of speech, religion, and the right to form a rally. Some people however have debated how far this extent reaches. For the sake of example, would it be safe to yell "Bomb!" in a packed aircraft? Would it be safe to yell "fire!" on an enclosed ride?
Brief History
Right to Assemble
Peaceably: the key word in that jumble of words known as the first amendment. The limit to the amendment is when someone gets hurt as a result of someone causing false panic or organizing groups to assassinate people. As soon as that line is crossed, the perpetrator is prosecutable. There should be absolutely no reason for someone being able to cause panic and perhaps kill or seriously injure American citizens, and get away scot- free. Protests also have to be contained. In the amendment it clearly states "peaceable assemblies". All of a sudden there can't be mass killings and destruction, such as Kristallnacht in 1938. Kristallnacht, or night of the broken glass, was two days during which the Nazi Germans destroyed over 8,000 buildings, and killed 91 innocent Jewish German citizens. People however, are allowed and should be allowed to assemble. To avoid conflict however, they must first contact the city mayor and he/ she will give them a proper area to assemble (such as the mall in D.C). The right to assemble was created to allow people to show government what they want and how government can do a better job at what they are doing. In Great Britain, protesting against the King was illegal and could get the protestors executed. Coming from ths tyranny, the Founding Fathers decided they wanted people to be able to express their feelings. It is also a good way to promote a certain idea, such as civil rights in the 60s. The right to assemble is currently used to protests many coal power plants and human rights. During the 60s and 70s many people in Universities protested against the Vietnam War. Many people claimed that this war was a waste of American lives and the U.S should back out of war that we should not have gotten invloved in at all. I believe that people should be able to assemble, because if not, then it would be in a certain sense an aristocracy because the government would be able to control the people's thoughts and how they promote their ideas.
Peaceful.
Not so peaceful... in Iran anyways, but it lead to the death of several American ambassadors. Protests of this type (perhaps not as violent) could occur in the U.S.
When an officer is attacked, you know it's bad.
Freedom of Speech
What does freedom of speech mean? Can you say ANYTHING you want ANYWHERE you want? Well, America is one of the most free countries in the world, but the people do have limitations. People are not allowed to promote assassinating the President, or causing false panic that can result in injury. Libel and slander is also illegal. The government however is not allowed to tell people what they can and cannot say as long as it is a harmless statement. The government is also not allowed to set microphones in people houses like the Stasi did (Amendment IV). The idea of freedom of speech was also born, just like many other amendments, by protecting things the British took away. The anti- federalists wanted to be absolutely sure the government could not tell people if they said something (that cannot harm someone), then they could be prosecuted. They also wanted to be sure that people did not say things purposely to injure, kill, or damage people in some way. In short, you are allowed to say anything you want, as long as you don't harm anyone or anything in doing so. Freedom of speech is currently used anywhere and everywhere in the States. In some countries people do not have the freedom to criticize the government as people do in the U.S. I believe people should be able to express their feeling in full, as long as no one is harmed.
A man making his point.
Some believe the government is too tight.
Washington stressed that freedom of speech is one of the most important elements of the new nation.
Freedom of Religion
Freedom of Religion means ANY religion!
The 1960s was a dark period in American history with segregation and racism rampant in the South.
Kevin- Prince Boatang, an A.C Milan player walked off the field as he recieved racist monkey chants from the Pro Patria fans(A lower league Italian team).
Freedom of Press
Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks.
(Above) Free Press (Below) Prior Restraint is illegal.