1. First Amendment Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the freeexercise thereof; or abridging the freedom ofspeech, or of the press; or the right of the peoplepeaceably to assemble, and to petition theGovernment for a redress of grievances.Which part of this Amendment do you think is the most important?

2. 5 rights, 1 Amendment QUICK Write Can you list the 5 rights allotted to American citizens in the first Amendment? List in your packet Only from memory 3. Right to Protest Congress shall make nolawabridging the right of the peoplepeaceably to assemble, and to petitionthe Government for a redress ofgrievances. Clarify the Right Freedom to protest, demonstrate, paradehas been drawn from freedom andspeech and press, and the rightpeaceably to assemble; In DeJonge v. Oregon, 299 U.S. 364(1937), the Supreme Court: called the right of peaceable assemblycognate to those of free speech and freepress and is equally fundamental ; determined that holding peaceablepolitical meetings cannot be proscribed 4. Right to Protest In order to be protected, theassembly must be peaceful andlawful. The right to petition dates backto Magna Carta (1215) The right to petition does not justmean a right of access to thecourt system The right to petition has beeninterpreted to cover the right ofcitizens, groups, special interestgroups, to make their viewsknown to all parts ofgovernment, including theexecutive branch and its 5. Current Protests What did the Occupy Wall street protesterswant? Were they peaceful? Read article 6. Past Protests Who do you think of when you think ofprotesters? Can you think of any groups that have exercisedthese rights in American history? Brainstorm a list and write in packet 7. Groups who protest . . . Abolitionists Child labor movement (Mother Jones) Suffragists Civil Rights Movement Anti-war Movement Pro-Life / Pro-Choice Environmentalists 8. Activity With your partner . . . Read article about different groups who exercisedthe right to protest Answer questions in packet 9. Discussion Share summary of your protest with class Share question answers 10. Independent Work Write a one-page letter to yourCongressmen, voicing your opinion about acurrent political issue Write on a separate piece of paper