1st Amendment and Free Speech/Government Class 12th grade

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Expert: - 9/17/2002


Question
Why are the rights set out in the 1st Amendment called "fundamental freedoms?"

I only found something about the rights of people
being protected and have one should live, is this right?

Thanks

Answer
Hi Cody,

The First Amendment provides rights to Freedom of Speech, religion, press, petition, and against govenment establishment of religion.  

Certainly, free speech, press, and the right to petition government are fundamental to a democracy.  If people cannot freely exchange information and opinions, it would be much more difficult for them to come to reasonable conclusions about government.

Freedom of religion is fundamental since it deals with protecting the right to hold whatever beliefs you want, and not to be forced to support beliefs that are not yours.  Banning government religions is probably a good idea and goes along with the freedom of concience.  But there are many societies that are generally free that still have State Religions.  So I'm not sure I consider that one fundamental to freedom.

I hope this helps!
- Mike  

1st Amendment and Free Speech

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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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