Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition

"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."

The First AmendmentFirst AmendmentProtects religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition against government interference. It restrains government, not private companies or employers.Read the full definition (opens a new tab) limits the government's power over five related freedoms: religion, speech, the press, assembly, and petitioning the government. It restrains what the government may do; it does not regulate private individuals or companies. Courts have spent two centuries working out its boundaries, and many current debates turn on where those boundaries fall.