1. Rights and Responsibilities
© North Carolina Community College System
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2. Everyone living in the United States has the rights
that are in the first two amendments to the Constitution.

3. The First Amendment gives everyone the right to
freedom of expression,

4. freedom of speech,

5. freedom of assembly (freedom to gather together peaceably),

6. freedom to petition the government,

7. and freedom of worship.

8. The Second Amendment gives everyone
the right to bear arms.

9. But some rights are only for United States citizens. These are
the right to vote in a federal election, and

10. and the right to run for federal office.
I am running for President. Please vote for me!

11. Some responsibilities, too, are only for United States citizens:
voting in a federal election, (Voting is both a right and a responsibility!)
Citizens vote for leaders to represent them and their ideas. The leaders support the citizens’ interests.

12. serving on a jury.
The Constitution gives citizens the right to a trial by a jury of their peers. A jury is made up of U.S. citizens.

13. There are many ways Americans can participate in their democracy
There are many ways Americans can participate in their democracy. They can
vote,

14. join a political party,
Republicans
Democrats

15. help with a campaign,

16. join a civic group,
SHRINERS

17. join a community group,
Race for the Cure!

18. give an elected official an opinion on an issue,

19. call Senators and Representatives,

20. publicly support or oppose an issue or policy,
Lower N.C. Gas Taxes!

21. run for office, and
Elect Me!

22. write to a newspaper.

23. People who are not citizens can participate in seven of the last ten activities. Can you find which seven?

24. In our next lesson, we will look at the promises people make when they become naturalized American citizens.