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The First Amendment In Five Amendments

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The first amendment is as powerful as a weapon, without it citizens would not have the power to petition or peacefully protest our opinion or thoughts. Meaning that us as a society would be powerless and have no say in our government, or how it’s run. Any person who habitats in this country has the liberty to say how they feel thus having the power to be heard. The constitution was written during the 1700’s, from authors who have personally felt and lived through the inability to be vocal. Many people believed during that time that every citizen is entitled to basic human rights, leading to the framers creating a document which is composed of the first ten amendments now known as “The Bill of Rights”. (“History of the First Amendment.” JEM …show more content…

“The First Amendment in Five Minutes - Video.” Big Think, 12 Aug. 2010, bigthink.com/videos/the-first-amendment-in-five-minutes) the true definition of the first amendment is as such, “The first amendment contains many rights. Which include freedom of assembly, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, and freedom of speech.” Since the integration of this Amendment there have been many changes. New circumstances involving freedom of speech are constantly being reevaluated by the courts. A circumstance involving Floyd Abrams, one of the many advocates who appeared to the supreme court defending this constitutional …show more content…

Relating to a recent case called Elk Grove Unified School District v. Newdow (2004). (“Elk Grove Unified School District v. Newdow.” July 2008, www.oyez.org/cases/2003/02-1624”) This case is still a controversial topic today. Michael Newdow petitioned the Pledge of Allegiance, claiming that the fragment stating “under God” is a violation to his first amendment right. His petition reached thousands of followers and eventually was received at the Supreme Court. The court disagreed with his case and labeled it constitutional. The reasoning behind the final ruling decision was that Mr.Newdow’s daughter has no obligation to participate in the pledge if she does not wish to. An even more recent case was McCullen v. Coakley (2014) which is based on another controversial topic that divides the nation, abortion. (“McCullen v Coakley.” {{meta.SiteName}}, www.oyez.org/cases/2013/12-1168.) This case took place in Massachusetts at a Planned Parenthood center. The state created a law that prevents pro-lifers from protesting about 20 feet from the facility, as there was obviously commotion from the protestors. The Supreme Court named the state law constitutional and defended the decision. Stating how the problem was the location of the protest and not the actual speech

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