Classroom Resources By Topic

First Amendment: Assembly and Petition Clauses

Introduction

“Congress shall make no law . . . abridging . . . the right of the people peaceably to assembly, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” 

  • The freedom of assembly protects our right to gather together with others in groups—whether as part of a political meeting, religious gathering, street protest, or parade.
  • The right to petition goes to our right to join together with others to share our collective views with the government—often by highlighting problems and suggesting ways of fixing them.

 
 

Big Questions

Why did the Founding generation include assembly and petition rights in the First Amendment? How did the Founding generation exercise their assembly and petition rights?
How have constitutional movements throughout history used assembly and petition rights to push for constitutional change?
How has the Supreme Court addressed assembly rights over time? What are some of the key constitutional debates over assembly and petition rights?
Video: Recorded Classes

First Amendment: Assembly and Petition 
Advanced Session 

First Amendment: Assembly and Petition 
Introductory Session 

Constitution 101 Curriculum

Module 10: The First Amendment

Explore the Assembly and Petition Clauses

Additional Resources

Podcast
Have we lost our First Amendment rights of assembly and petition?

Burt Neuborne of the New York University School of Law and John Inazu of the Washington University School of Law reveal the history and power of the First Amendment's Assembly and Petition Clauses.

Big Questions

Classroom Materials

Explore First Amendment: Assembly and Petition Clauses Questions

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