Know Your Rights: The First Amendment Explained

Quick Reminder: What the First Amendment Really Protects

In the U.S., your First Amendment rights give you the power to:

• 🗣️ Speak freely

• ✊ Protest peacefully

• 📰 Report and access information

• 🙏 Practice (or not practice) any religion

• 📝 Hold your government accountable

These aren’t just words—they’re protections. Use them. Defend them. Don’t let anyone tell you to sit down or stay quiet.

🇺🇸 Wait—What Is the First Amendment, Really?

Let’s break it down:

📜 The Constitution is the supreme law of the United States. It creates the structure of our government and outlines how it operates.

🧱 The Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments to the Constitution. These were added to protect the rights of the people and limit government power.

🔐 The First Amendment is the first of those 10—and it guarantees your rights to:

• 🗣️ Free speech

• 📰 Freedom of the press

• 🙏 Freedom of religion

• ✊ Right to protest (peacefully)

• 📝 Right to petition the government

‼️If your Civil Rights are being violated:

• Document everything. Record video, take photos, and write down badge numbers, names, times, and locations.

• Use your rights. You have the right to remain silent, the right to record in public spaces, and the right to legal representation.

• Don’t let fear silence you. Speaking up might protect someone else down the line.

I hope this makes it clear and direct.

You have rights—use them. Protect them. Share this information.