Freedom of Religion

A City Hall has the Ten Commandments inside of their courthouse. People sue, saying that this is establishing religion. They claim that it's wrong to promote one religion over all others. The court claims that all people believe in right and wrong and that the Ten Commandments are what we base our laws upon.

Did this violate their freedom of religion?

Free Speech Case #4

A television program creates a spoof making fun of the president. In this sketch, they make up lies about him and mock his authority. The government sues, claiming that it was slander and that it is not protected by the first amendment.

Did this violate the freedom of speech?

Did this violate the freedom of the press?

Free Speech Case #4

A television program creates a spoof making fun of the president. In this sketch, they make up lies about him and mock his authority. The government sues, claiming that it was slander and that it is not protected by the first amendment.

Did this violate the freedom of speech?

Did this violate the freedom of the press?

Free Speech Case #3

In 1989, a man burned a flag in front of the Republican National Convention. He was arrested for "un-American" activities. He sued, claiming that it was his freedom of symbolic speech. He claimed that he had every right to burn a flag in protest.

Was this a violation of freedom of speech?

Freedom of Assembly

A group of KKK members decide that they will march in an all-Jewish neighborhood with signs promoting the creation of a new Holocaust. The city refuses to let them march and they sue.

Did this violate their freedom of assembly?

Free Speech Case #2

The Supreme Court was first requested to strike down a law violating the free speech clause in 1919. The case involved Charles Schenck, who had during the war published leaflets challenging the draft system then in effect. The Supreme Court unanimously upheld Schenck's conviction for violating the Espionage Act when it decided Schenck v. United States, 249 U.S. 47 (1919).

Did this violate his first amendment freedom of the press?

Free Speech Case #2

The Supreme Court was first requested to strike down a law violating the free speech clause in 1919. The case involved Charles Schenck, who had during the war published leaflets challenging the draft system then in effect. The Supreme Court unanimously upheld Schenck's conviction for violating the Espionage Act when it decided Schenck v. United States, 249 U.S. 47 (1919).

Did this violate his first amendment freedom of the press?

Free Speech Case #1

John and Mary Beth Tinker, aged 13 and 16 respectively, attended public school in Des Moines, Iowa. In December, 1965, they and their parents attended a meeting to discuss ways of protesting the Vietnam War. The group decided to publicly wear black armbands as a symbol of their protest.

When the school principals heard about the decision at the meeting, they passed a rule that prohibited the wearing of an armband in school; those who would refuse to remove an armband would be suspended from school until it was removed. The principals stated that they hoped that this rule would prevent any disorder.

The Tinkers, aware of the new rule, wore their armbands to school. During the day no classes were disorderly and school went on as usual. Before the end of the day, however, the Tinkers went home because the school principal suspended them until they would remove the armbands. Their parents disagreed with the school's rule and actions, and took the case to court. Eventually, the case reached the U.S. Supreme Court.

Was this a violation of free speech? Why or why not?