Freedom of Speech

Got something to say?

Freedom of Speech was once only for the rich and powerful. Royal
governors, clergymen, and a powerful few in the early days of the
colonies were the only folks allowed to speak their minds.
Speaking out against things you didnt like could land you in The
BIG HOUSE!

Now, thanks to the Bill of Rights, Free Speech is a protected right

for everyone.

Most people dont realize that 200 years have passed since the
First Amendment was ratified... and in those 200 years people
have fought hard to make sure that when the boundaries of free
speech evolve, the original intent of the Founding Fathers
remains true...

Everyone has the right to responsibly speak their minds!

Freedom of Speech is the right to freely express yourself encompassing all types of expression, including the freedom to
create and distribute movies, take photographs, paint, write
songs, make up dances, dress how you want and all other forms
of expressive communication.

If someone can see you doing something, you are

communicating!
The boundaries of FREE SPEECH continue to be STRETCHED!

YOU NEED TO KNOW THE BOUNDARIES

Freedom of Religion
Pilgrims were called Separatists back in England because they wanted
independence from the established Church of England. In 1620, they
sailed the stormy Atlantic for 63 days on the tiny Mayflower, seeking
freedom of religion in the New World.
The First Amendment contains two clauses about the Freedom of
Religion. The first part is known as the Establishment Clause, and the
second as the Free Exercise Clause.

The Establishment Clause prohibits the government from passing laws

that will establish an official religion or preferring one religion over
another. The courts have interpreted the establishment clause to
accomplish the separation of church and state.

The Free Exercise Clause prohibits the government from interfering

with a persons practice of his or her religion. However, religious
actions and rituals can be limited by civil and federal laws.

Religious freedom is an absolute right, and includes the right to

practice any religion of ones choice, or no religion at all, and to do this
without government control.

Your rights to Freedom of Religion and the free exercise thereof means:

The Freedom of Religion is an inalienable

right.
The First Amendment provides for the
Freedom of Religion for all Americans.
The Free Exercise Clause provides that
government will neither control nor prohibit the free

exercise of ones religion.

The government will remain neutral.

So, go ahead and pray - or dont. Go to church - or sleep in.

Freedom of Press
Like that Blog?
Thank John Peter Zenger.
Thanks to John Peter Zenger you can sit in your room and share your
thoughts on your own personal blog and not worry that the government will
toss you in jail. Zenger was a newspaper publisher who saw his lifes work go
up in flames and was then forced to defend himself against libel charges in
1735 when the government didnt like what he had to say. The Trial of John
Peter Zenger is often seen as the cornerstone court case of American press
freedom.
It's generally known as "the Press" in our country because, when the
founding fathers wrote freedom of the press into the Bill of Rights, the
printing press was the most popular form of mass communication. Today we
call it "the media."
"PRESS" is an extremely broad term. It includes all systems that make
information available to people: newspapers, television, radio, books,
lectures, movies, art, dance, telephone, cassettes, CDs, DVDs, magazines,
electronic bulletin boards, computer networks, billboards, video tapes... you
name it.
All of the world's major religions, philosophies, schools of political thought,
and systems of government were spread through writing. In fact, the spread
of civilization, religion, and the written word occurred simultaneously, each
dependent on the other.

Protecting the Freedom of the Press leads to...

The Discovery of Truth

Facilitating Participation by Citizens in Political Decision-Making

Creating a More Adaptable and Stable Community

Assuring Individual Self-Fulfillment

Checking Abuse of Governmental Power

Promoting Tolerance

Creating a More Interesting Community

Protecting the Freedom of the Press protects

your right to know.

The Right to Petition

You think life isnt fair sometimes?
Once upon a time if you didnt like the king or queens decisions you couldnt
say a word... and if you did... you would land yourself in some hot water...
No really, they could boil you.
Back in 1215 people wanted to be able to petition their government on
righting wrongs... addressing the issues brought forth by the people...
without being beaten or thrown in jail.
The right to petition was enumerated in the Declaration of Independence
which was a statement telling the world just why the United States was
rebelling against King George III.
As a United States citizen, you have the right to Petition...
Congress
state government and legislatures
courts at any level
Under the right of petition, individuals and groups of citizens and
corporations may lobby for laws and policies that favor them.

The Right to Peaceably Assemble

Think it's no BIG DEAL?
There was once a time when you could be arrested for gathering on a

public street...
Once thought of as the lesser of the Five Fundamental Freedoms,
Assembly has really gotten some major respect from the Supreme
Court...

Originally, the right to assemble was considered less important than

the right to petition.

Did you know that getting together to chill with friends at the mall is
protected by the First Amendment?

Getting together to share ideas, coming together to share common

beliefs and act upon those beliefs has given the right to assemble
major street credit.
Fighting for the right to vote, civil rights and protesting war is
protected by the right to assemble. Even going to church or helping
with the American Red Cross is protected.
And know this...
Picketing is protected when it is for a lawful purpose and is conducted
in an orderly manner and publicizes some type of grievance. Many
groups and organizations use assembly as a way to get the word out.
The right of every single United States citizen to peacefully...
Parade and Gather
Demonstrate support or opposition of public policy
Express one's views
...is guaranteed by the freedom of speech and the right to peaceably
assemble.