The First Amendment:The Freedom of Assembly and Petition

Kirsten Hack pd. 4/5

Citizens have the right to form petitions and gather in

peaceful protest.

Why was it justified?• Some though that if rights weren’t

formally protected, the government could take them away

New York Times v. Sullivan

• March 9, 1964• Law suits pertaining to 1st amendment not

punishable unless “malice” could be proven

Federal Restricted Building and Grounds Improvement Act of 2011

• Allows secret service to limit the 1st amendment

Citations• Napolitano, Andrew P. “Can the Secret Service tell you to shut up?” Washington

Times, the (D.C.). Points of View Reference Center. EBSCOhost, Inc. Web. 12 Nov 2012.

• Puro, Stephen. “freedom of assembly and association.” Encyclopedia of American Law. New York: Facts on File, Inc., 2012. American History Online. Web. 9 Nov 2012.

• Rohde, Stephen F. “Historical Origins of Freedom of Assembly.” Freedom of Assembly. New York: Facts on File, Inc., 2005. American History Online. Web. 9 Nov 2012.

• U.S. Congress. “Bill of Rights.” Triumph of the American Nation. Orlando: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1986. American History Online. Web. 8 Nov 2012.

• U.S. Supreme Court. “New York Times Company v. Sullivan.” 84 Supreme Court Reporter. American History Online. Facts on File, Inc. Web. 9 Nov 2012.