the First Amendment (USA)

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects five fundamental freedoms: religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. It ensures individuals can express their ideas and beliefs without government interference or censorship, promote religious practices or non-practices, gather peacefully for protests or meetings, and request changes from authorities. These protections foster open discourse, help prevent government overreach, and support a vibrant, democratic society. While these rights are broad, they are balanced with limits to ensure safety and order, such as restrictions on speech that incites violence or hatred.