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First Amendment Definition:
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The amendment to the US Constitution which sets out freedom of expression.
Related Terms:
Expressive Association,
Freedom of Expression,
Speech,
Heckler's Veto,
Fourth Amendment,
Fifth Amendment,
Sixth Amendment,
Eighth Amendment,
Fourteenth Amendment,
Academic Freedom
Part of a comprehensive ten-part amendment in 1791 to the 1787 Constitution of the United States and which provides for freedom of expression.
The text of the First Amendment is:
“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.”
Under this caption of the Constitution, American courts have developed a strong body of cases which sets out limitations to Government action in regards to religious expression and the press.