1st Amendment
to the U.S. Constitution
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.
Summary
Most important phrase = Congress shall make no lawThis amendment limits the Federal Government.
It in no way gives rights.
- Rights are God-given
- Because you are a person, you have these rights.
- No one can take them away unless you have violated the rights of others.
- Because you are a person, you have these rights.
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Freedom from religion
- Freedom of religion
- Freedom of speech
- Freedom of the press
- Freedom to assemble
- Freedom to petition the government, if you have grievances with it.