Amendment One: 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 U.S. Congress may not pass laws setting up an official religion for the nation and cannot pass laws preventing people from following their chosen faith. The First Amendment also prevents Congress from making laws that prevent people from saying or printing what they think, unless those words limit the rights of others. In addition, this amendment prohibits Congress from making laws that would not allow people to meet peacefully or to ask the government to correct something the people view as wrong.
Freedom of Religion: the "establishment" clause, which prohibits the government from establishing an official church, and the "free exercise" clause that allows people to worship as they please.
Freedom of Speech and Press: Free speech is a most cherished liberty, but there are limits to the free speech clause. Free speech cannot be in violation of "clear and present danger." The principle was established that free speech would not be protected if an individual were a "clear and present danger" to United States security.
Freedom of Assembly and Petition: Freedom of assembly has to be balanced with other people's rights if it disrupts public order, traffic flow, freedom to go about normal business or peace and quiet. Usually, a group must apply for a permit, but a government must grant a permit provided that officials have the means to prevent major disruptions.
