Understanding the Limitations of the First Amendment
The First Amendment guarantees that Americans will have political free speech. It guarantees the freedom of religion. It even protects the owners of news organizations and the rights of people to protest. While it is one of the great ideas of the founding fathers, there are limits to what the first amendment can do.
Many people already know that the first amendment does not protect against accusations of slander or libel. A person cannot print damaging information about someone else, nor can he speak such accusations. The defense may be truth, but speaking the truth is no guarantee their will not be civil penalties imposed. Freedom to say whatever a person wants does not mean that an individual will not face the consequences for the individual’s actions. An employer can still fire an employee who says something that the employer does not like.
The right to peacefully assemble has limits. The assembly cannot take place anywhere that will disrupt the flow of traffic or cause problems for public safety. The police can arrest someone for protesting without a permit or protesting in a restricted area. Freedom is a wonderful thing, but the point where it often ends is when it infringes upon the safety or well being of a private citizen.