

The First Amendment says Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech or of the press or the right of the people peaceably to assemble. What are the limits of your First Amendment rights, and what tools can you legally use to raise your students’ awareness to injustices within the district’s content-neutral policy?įirst Amendment rights within the school environment have required special consideration from the courts for more than five decades. You are told the Black Lives Matter movement is political and, therefore, falls under the content-neutral policy. Your district has a content-neutral policy banning political conversations and symbols. This unique time in the country’s history stirred in you an urgency to seize the moment to bring important conversations about respecting diversity to the students in your school.
FIRST AMENDMENT FREEDOM OF SPEECH LIMITATIONS FREE
Contact us today for a confidential, free case evaluation.You joined the rallying cry in the summer of racial reckoning following the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery. If you believe your constitutional rights have been violated, we are happy to review your claim.

Libel/slander. When a person is harmed due to another person’s statement or writing, the courts have historically upheld their right to seek legal recourse.For example, the city of Grand Rapids could legally limit the use of bullhorns after 10 pm to all residents.

Content-neutral speech. When applicable equally to everyone and not aimed toward a specific group of people or type of speech, the government can limit speech.When it creates a clear and present danger. The kind of speech that inaccurately portrays a sense of urgency or danger when in reality there is none is called “clear and present danger” speech and it can be limited.The government can limit the following types of speech: The courts have upheld that free speech is not completely unbounded and absolute. This applies to both federal and local and state governments.įox 17 Know the Law – First Amendment Limitationsįox 17 Know the Law – Defamation Law | Libel & SlanderĮxceptions – When the Government Can Limit Free Speech This means the government was involved in this violation, not individuals. But in order to have a constitutional rights violation, you have to have a state action. Those pursuing legal recourse for what they believe is an unlawful limitation on their freedom of speech do so through what is known as a constitutional rights violation claim. First Amendment and Constitutional Rights Violations Many people often misunderstand or misrepresent this concept. The Bill of Rights is meant to limit the power government and doesn’t necessarily apply to private individuals. Congress shall make no law prohibiting free speech. Maybe you read right past that first word, but the first word is key to the entire amendment – Congress. “Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech or the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, or petition the government for redress of grievances.” Here is a refresher on how the First Amendment is written, in honor of Constitution Day 2018:
