The Constitution protects the right of the people to assemble to express their views. It protects their right to organize to influence public policy, whether in political parties, interest groups, or other organizations. It also protects the people’s right to petition—to bring their views to the attention of public officials by such varied means as written petitions, letters, or advertisements; lobbying; and parades or marches.

Question

Use the excerpt to answer the question.





Which of these actions would be an unconstitutional violation of rights?

Responses

The local authorities refuse to issue a parade permit to a group that wants to march past a school during school hours.
The local authorities refuse to issue a parade permit to a group that wants to march past a school during school hours.

The authorities refuse to give a demonstration permit to a group that wants to hold a rally promoting racist beliefs.
The authorities refuse to give a demonstration permit to a group that wants to hold a rally promoting racist beliefs.

The police arrest a man for giving a speech that urges the violent overthrow of the government.
The police arrest a man for giving a speech that urges the violent overthrow of the government.

The police arrest a group of civil rights activists who have committed an act of civil disobedience.

Answer 1

The police arrest a group of civil rights activists who have committed an act of civil disobedience.

Answer 2

congress will make no law
1. respecting the establishment of religion (no examples here)
2. abridging the freedom of speech ( allows Non violent racist nonsense)
3 peaceably to assemble ( march by school peaceable? violent overthrow? )
4. petition the government (civil rights activists ok if not violent)

Answer 3

The excerpt from the Constitution protects the right to assemble and petition the government, as long as it is done peacefully. This means that a peaceful march by a group past a school, or a peaceful act of civil disobedience by civil rights activists, would be constitutional and protected under the First Amendment. However, speech that urges the violent overthrow of the government or a demonstration promoting racist beliefs would not be protected under the First Amendment.