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1st Amendment and Free Speech/first amendment
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Question
How and why are the rights to assemble, petition, and associate related to one another and to limited government?
The right of citizens to assemble and petition government are protected by the First Amendment. Many would argue the right of association is also implicit in that amendment. These protections were added in the Bill of Rights to ensure people would always have the right to make their feelings known to leaders in an effective way. They were seen as critical to democracy. I'm not sure they are as closely related to limited government, other than the fact that government is limited passing laws that would infringe on those rights.
I hope this helps!
- Mike
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Answers by Expert:
Michael Troy
Expertise
I will answer general questions regarding freedom of speech, petition, or religion. I specialize in cases involving public employment or education, as well as issues related to campaign finance. But I can`t give specific legal advice involving specific cases you might have.
Experience
As an attorney for the Center for Individual Rights, I worked on a number of free speech cases, including Rosenberger v. Univ. of Virginia, in which the Supreme Court upheld my clients' right to run a student newspaper without discrimination because of its religious conent. I also worked on White v. Julian, which protected the right of people to protest against a homeless shelter in their neighborhood.
I also worked for the Federal Election Commission on several cases regarding the right to participate in the election process.
Organizations
Former Attorney for Center for Individual Rights.
Publications
Washington Post
Washington Times
Education/Credentials
J.D. from Univ. of Michigan Law School
Awards and Honors
Truman Scholar
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