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The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right of the people to peaceably assemble, and to petition the government for change.
To explore the powers of this First Amendment freedom, the Freedom Forum offers historic lessons, First Amendment insights, downloadable posters and social media filters, plus live and recorded programs with key practitioners of the First Amendment right to peaceably assemble.
A First Amendment response to the deadly Capitol Riot
Capitol Rioters Trampled On First Amendment Freedoms
By Gene Policinski
Following the deadly insurrection at the Capitol , we need to take noice of our constitutional rights to freely speak, assemble and petition the government.
Violence is Not a First Amendment Protest
Violence, no matter the motive, is not a First Amendment protest. Freedom Forum Senior Fellow Gene Policinski explains why in this video.
Related Resources:
- When can the government close public spaces?
- Allowing hateful assembly
- Jacob Coxey and the origins of protesting at the Capitol
Expert Columns
Read our experts’ columns defending your rights to assemble and petition.
The First Amendment Right To Protest Has Limits
By Gene Policinski
The First Amendment protects us from government punishment or censorship for what we say or write, particularly on matters of politics and public affairs. Still, not everything we say or do because of such speech is protected.
More columns:
- Protest is how we talk to ourselves as a nation — and that’s a good thing
- We cannot allow our First Amendment rights to become ‘wrongs’
- Supreme Court Halts Ruling Aimed at Stifling the Right to Protest
- The First Amendment and Our Rights to Speak, Assemble and Seek Change
- Say Her Name: Breonna Taylor discussion at the heart of national protests
- 1963 ‘March for Jobs and Freedom:’ A lifetime, life-changing moment in time
- We march, demonstrate and protest: We’re America
- John Lewis, First Amendment Champion
- The First Amendment and Our Rights to Speak, Assemble and Seek Change
- Masks Protect Protesters in More Ways Than You Think
Dig Deeper: Lessons and Toolkits for Teachers, Parents and Students
Multimedia Course: The First Amendment and the Civil Rights Movement
How–and Why–Americans Exercise Their Right to Assemble
Covering Protest: The Press and the Civil Rights Movement
Before and After: Analyzing Turning Points in History
Explore Significant Dates, People and Events in the Fight for Racial Equality
Exploring the Freedoms of Assembly and Petition
Make Some Noise: Students and the Civil Rights Movement
Programs
First Five Now: Understanding the First Amendment in Perilous Times
Following an unprecedented week in the history of the nation, the Freedom Forum presents a special program examining how the interpretation of the First Amendment became a nationwide debate.
First Five Live: A Conversation with Activist DeRay Mckesson
Civil rights activist DeRay Mckesson talks about what the First Amendment means to him and how it guides his work.
Workplace Integrity: Do You Qualify As An Ally? (Especially Now)
The Power Shift Project’s Workplace Integrity webinars provide practical insights for men who want to be allies to women, people of privilege who want to do more to fight inequity and powerful individuals who want to be better advocates for change.
Instagram Live: Dr. Marquez Ball
A conversation with Dr. Marquez Ball, the Washington, D.C. Bureau Religious Affairs Liaison for the National Action Network which is organizing the 2020 March on Washington.
Instagram Live: Trabian Shorters
A conversation with Trabian Shorters, CEO and founder of the BMe Community, a network of innovators, leaders and champions who invest in communities and train leading organizations in matters of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Follow us on Instagram to receive alerts on Live programs with First Amendment Experts.
First Five Live: Freedom Rider Rip Patton and Freedom Fighters DC’s Philomena Wankenge
Former Freedom Rider Ernest “Rip” Patton and Philomena Wankenge, a Black Lives Matter activist and a founder of Freedom Fighters DC, discuss the evolution of civil rights activism and their roles in the movement.
Read a related article by USA TODAY Washington correspondent Deborah Barfield Berry.
More on YouTube:
- First Five Now: How John Lewis Makes ‘Good Trouble’ – July 9, 2020
- Civil Rights Superhero: An Evening with John Lewis and Andrew Aydin – Dec. 14, 2016
- Media, Memory and the March on Washington – July 29, 2013
Visit our YouTube channel for more related videos.
It’s Your First Amendment
Join our cause if, like us, you believe the broad understanding and vigorous use of First Amendment freedoms is the best way to preserve and protect them for future generations.
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