1. Court Cases

2. Religion
Everson v. Board: Court ruled that it is constitutional for the state to pay to bus students to parochial schools. (Benefited students rather than aiding a religion.) Epperson v. Arkansas: Court stuck down an Arkansas law that banned the teaching of evolution in public schools Edwards v. Aguillard: Court ruled that a law requiring the teaching of creationism violated the establishment clause. Lynch v. Donnelly: Court allowed for a city to display a Nativity scene as long as there were other secular (nonreligious) items with it. (i.e. Christmas tree, reindeer, etc.) Reynolds v. United States: Court ruled that people are not free to worship in ways that violate laws.

3. Speech
Texas v. Johnson: Flag burning is protected symbolic speech Schenck v. United States: “Clear and Present Danger Test” During wartime Schenck’s action threated the well-being of a nation (Distributing leaflets that urged draftees to obstruct the war effort – not protected form of free speech) Hustler v. Falwell: Public figures can not collect damages for words that might intentionally inflect emotional distress. Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire: Words that are so insulting that they provoke immediate violence do not constitute protected free speech.

4. Speech
Bethel v. Fraser: School officials can suspend students for lewd and indecent speech at school. (Even though the same speech would be protected outside the schools building.) Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier: Schools can regulate student speech in school-sponsored newspapers, plays, etc.

5. Press
Note: Press may only be censored in cases relating directly to national security. Near v. Minnesota: free press means free from government censorship. (Prior Restraint) New York Times Co. v. United States: Stopping the publication would be prior restraint and is therefore unconstitutional. Sheppard v. Maxwell: Overturned conviction. Press coverage had interfered with Sheppard's right to a fair trial. (Court describes 5 things judges might to do limit press coverage of a trial) Reno v. ACLU: Internet speech deserves the same level of protection as print media. Miller v. California: Local communities should set their own standards for obscenity. (However, there are limits on what communities can censor.)

6. Assembly
DeJonge v. Oregon: Court ruled that “peaceable assembly for lawful discussion cannot be made a crime.” (Conducted a meeting sponsored by the Communist Party.) Cox v. New Hampshire: Court upheld a state law that required groups to get a permit before a parade or demonstration. (Law did not try to silence unpopular ideas, but rather ensured that parades did not interfere with other citizens using the street) Cox v. Louisiana: Court upheld a law that banned demonstrations and parades near courthouses if they could interfere with trials Grayned v. Rockford: Court upheld a law that ban demonstrations near schools that were intended to disrupt classes.

7. Assembly
Schenck v. Pro Choice: Upheld a buffer zone around abortion clinics. Skokie Case: Supreme Court refused to hear case. Lower court ruling stood. The city ordinance was unconstitutional because it was censoring certain kinds of speech (symbolic speech – swastika) and it was based on prior restraint. (What might be said, not what was actually said) Gregory v. Chicago: Overturned Gregory's conviction. March had been peaceful, it was the onlookers that caused the disorder. (If a march is peaceful and orderly, it is protected by the First Amendment.) IBT Local 695 v. Vogt: The Court upheld a Wisconsin law that prohibited picketing a business unless there was a labor dispute.