"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."
First Amendment to the United States Constitution
It is for these reasons that our movement is named FIRST.
Youth opinions are often overlooked, undervalued, and diminished. The free speech and expression of young people are limited on the basis of age and misconceptions. These limitations weaken Generation Z and their efforts to build a better future. Feelings of helplessness and discouragement are too common among our generation. Many of us believe that we do not have the power to implement real change in our communities. But the truth is, we do.
As inhabitants of the United States of America, we are granted freedoms that are imperative to maintain democracy by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The freedoms guaranteed in the First Amendment ensure that our rights to speak openly, exercise religion, and assemble in protest are not infringed upon. As a result of these rights, we can inform ourselves without hinders of censorship, formulate political beliefs without being penalized, and protest to make our opinions heard.
The First Amendment allows for American youth to become empowered and rise up to create change. Throughout the nation, young people are using their right to free speech to advocate against social injustices and humanitarian issues and initiate movements for reform. Proactive youth have fostered a world full of new capabilities, ideas, and realities. Jeffery Robinson, ACLU Deputy Legal Director and Director of the Trone Center for Justice and Equality, once said, "Hope does not create action. Action creates hope, and that's where you [the youth] come in." We must continue to empower the youth to act. Their actions directly result in progress and hope. We will not move backwards as a nation.
It is for these reasons that our movement is named FIRST.
As inhabitants of the United States of America, we are granted freedoms that are imperative to maintain democracy by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The freedoms guaranteed in the First Amendment ensure that our rights to speak openly, exercise religion, and assemble in protest are not infringed upon. As a result of these rights, we can inform ourselves without hinders of censorship, formulate political beliefs without being penalized, and protest to make our opinions heard.
The First Amendment allows for American youth to become empowered and rise up to create change. Throughout the nation, young people are using their right to free speech to advocate against social injustices and humanitarian issues and initiate movements for reform. Proactive youth have fostered a world full of new capabilities, ideas, and realities. Jeffery Robinson, ACLU Deputy Legal Director and Director of the Trone Center for Justice and Equality, once said, "Hope does not create action. Action creates hope, and that's where you [the youth] come in." We must continue to empower the youth to act. Their actions directly result in progress and hope. We will not move backwards as a nation.
It is for these reasons that our movement is named FIRST.
"Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers."
Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Learn More
Watch these videos to help you understand your rights and ensure that they are not infringed upon.
Students' Rights: Free Speech at School (ACLU)Students have the right to speak out in school as long as they’re not disrupting the functioning of the school. But how do we define “disruption”?
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Internet Free Speech: Do You Know Your Rights? (The Atlantic)In theory, individuals should have the same rights online as they do in the physical world. But in practice, this is uncharted legal territory. Perhaps the most contentious area is free speech law.
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Know Your Rights While Demanding Justice for George Floyd. (ACLU)ACLU free speech attorney Emerson Sykes gives a primer on how to protest safely right now.
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