Ben+Clark

Ben Clark What are the limits to the First Amendment right to freedom of speech and protest?

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Pros and Cons for the First Amendment Pros Cons What I Think
 * Freedom of Speech gives the people the ability to voice whatever opinion they have. || Others could get offended by the opinion. ||
 * A free country is based on Freedom of Speech. || Might give individuals too much power. ||
 * Could build somebody up. || Could cause the downfall of a person. ||
 * The reputation of a person could be helped by people saying good things about them. || Rumors could spread about a famous person that would ruin their reputation. ||
 * Grants people the freedom to vote. || Overshadowed by the Electoral College. ||
 * Freedom of protest gives people the ability to voice their opinion by protesting and gathering in groups. || This could offend people who have different opinions. ||
 * Groups can make a peaceful protest to voice their opinion. || It could cause violence. ||
 * Allows groups of people to voice their opinion through their actions, not just words. || Protesters could cause trouble in the community. ||

 With the freedom of speech and protest which are included in the First Amendment, America has grown into a world superpower because of the power it gives to the people. I love to implement the liberty like others and tend to speak my mind whenever I want. America would be an awful place if it did not allow us to speak what is on our minds. Also, America should not be able to limit how much people can speak out or the things people say. The only way the government should be able to hold citizens back is when people illegally threaten someone, or don’t follow the guidelines set for protesting a certain event.

 Works Cited Bill Of Rights Institute. //Edwards v. South Carolina (1963)//. Arlington VA: Bill of Rights Institute, 2010. N. pag. Web. 10 Dec. 2012.

Cottle, Michelle. "Protests at Funerals Should Not Be Banned." //Censorship//. Ed. Julia Bauder. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2007. Current Controversies. Rpt. from "Grave Danger." //The New Republic Online//. 2006. //Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context//. Web. 16 Dec. 2012.

Legal Information Institute. //De Jonge v. Oregon (No. 123)//. New Jersey: Cornell University Law School, 1992. 51. Web. 10 Dec. 2012.

McFarland, Steven T. "Laws Restricting Protests Are Unjust." //The Abortion Controversy//. Ed. Emma Bernay. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2007. Current Controversies. Rpt. from "Pro-Lifers' New Legal Nightmare." //Christianity Today// (15 Aug. 1994). //Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context//. Web. 16 Dec. 2012 .

McGowan, Heather. //Freedom Of Speech at School: Tinker v. Des Moines//. N.p.: Lawyers.com, 2011. N. pag. Web. 10 Dec. 2012.

Oyez College Of Law. //Edwards v. South Carolina//. South Carolina: Supreme Court Media, 2012. Web. 10 Dec. 2012.