1. First Amendment
“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.”
Which part of this Amendment do you think is the
most important?

2. 5 rights, 1 Amendment
 QUICK Write
 Can you list the 5
rights allotted to
American citizens in
the first
Amendment?
 List in your packet
 Only from memory

3. Right to Protest
 “Congress shall make no
law…abridging the right of the people
peaceably to assemble, and to petition
the Government for a redress of
grievances.”
 Clarify the Right
 Freedom to protest, demonstrate, parade
has been drawn from freedom and
speech and press, and the right
peaceably to assemble;
 In DeJonge v. Oregon, 299 U.S. 364
(1937), the Supreme Court:
 called the right of peaceable assembly
“cognate to those of free speech and free
press and is equally fundamental…” ;
 determined that holding peaceable
political meetings cannot be proscribed

4. Right to Protest
 In order to be protected, the
assembly must be peaceful and
lawful.
 The right to petition dates back
to Magna Carta (1215)
 The right to petition does not just
mean a right of access to the
court system
 The right to petition has been
interpreted to cover the right of
citizens, groups, special interest
groups, to make their views
known to all parts of
government, including the
executive branch and its

5. Current Protests
 What did the “Occupy Wall street” protesters
want?
 Were they peaceful?
 Read article

6. Past Protests
 Who do you think of when you think of
“protesters”?
 Can you think of any groups that have exercised
these rights in American history?
 Brainstorm a list and write in packet

7. Groups who protest . . .
 Abolitionists
 Child labor movement (Mother Jones)
 Suffragists
 Civil Rights Movement
 Anti-war Movement
 Pro-Life / Pro-Choice
 Environmentalists

8. Activity
 With your partner . . .
 Read article about different groups who exercised
the right to protest
 Answer questions in packet

9. Discussion
 Share summary of your protest with class
 Share question answers

10. Independent Work
 Write a one-page letter to your
Congressmen, voicing your opinion about a
current political issue
 Write on a separate piece of paper