F IRST A MENDMENT : FREEDOM OF SPEECH

First Amendment Text 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.

Preview: Activating Existing Knowledge What do you know about freedom of speech in the United States? For example: – What are its limits? Is there any speech that is NOT protected? – Does it involve only speech, or does it also involve actions? – What type of speech is considered MOST important to protect?

Preview: Activating Existing Knowledge What do you know about freedom of speech in your country? – Is it an important concept in the laws of your country? – What are its limits? What speech is NOT protected? – What speech is considered MOST important to protect? – How is it similar to or different from the concept as you understand it in the United States? Use specific examples as much as possible.

Burning of Draft Cards: 1966 What was a Selective Service Registration card (draft card)? Why would someone burn a draft card? How could burning a draft card be considered an act of speech protected by the 1 st Amendment of the Constitution? Make the argument. Courage on Fire: Draft Card Burning and the Vietnam War

Information contained on a draft card Name Date of registration Name and address of local board registrant is registered with Date and place of registrant’s birth Registrant’s residence Registrant’s physical description Registrants signature Registrant’s selective service number (chronological)

Prediction: Law Banning Burning of Draft Cards—Constitutional or Unconstitutional? Would the Supreme Court rule that the burning of draft cards was a form of speech? Why or why not? If they did rule it was form of speech, should that speech be protected under the 1 st Amendment to the Constitution? Why or why not?

Forms of Protest: Sit-In

Forms of Protest: Die-In

Forms of Protest: Flag-Burning

Forms of Protest: Burning a draft card

Draft Card Burning vs. Flag Burning Why might someone burn a flag? Under what circumstances might burning a flag be considered an act of speech protected by the 1 st Amendment of the Constitution? Make the argument. How might burning a flag be considered similar to burning a draft card? How might it be considered different? Which do you think would be more likely to be protected under the First Amendment—burning a draft card or burning the American flag? Explain.

Hate Speech Definition: Speech that offends, threatens, or insults groups, based on race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or other traits Do you think that hate speech is protected under the First Amendment? Why or why not?