Plain-English Explanation
The First Amendment protects freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. It bars Congress and state governments from making laws that abridge these freedoms.
Relevant Provision
U.S. Const. amend. I: 'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.'
Relevant Decisions
Gitlow v. New York
268 U.S. 652 (1925)
Recognized that freedoms of speech and press are among the fundamental liberties protected by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment from impairment by the states.