A look at the First Amendment

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Stephanie Englar
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  "I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation." -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., "I Have a Dream".

"I Have a Dream" is the speech that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered in Washington to spur social change and end racial inequality in the United States. It was that demonstration for freedom that would change the course of our nation, and it would never have been able to happen if the First Amendment had not been created.

Overall, without the First Amendment, American history could be very different. The First Amendment grants Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religion, Freedom of the Press, and the Right to Peaceably Assemble.

Settlers in early America came to the country in search of religious freedom. The Church of England was able to dictate what its citizen's religious denominations were, and in search for freedom from religious oppression they came to America in the hope of beginning a new life.

Before the Bill of Rights was ratified Dec. 15, 1791, the First Amendment was drafted to include the right for Americans to be able to freely practice the religion of their choice, and that a state could not dictate a mandatory state religion. Along with the Freedom of Religion came the Freedom of the Press, which states that the government could not control the dissemination of information to the public.

Over 40 years ago, on June 17, 1972, seven burglars were caught trying to steal documents inside the Democratic National Committee office, which is located in the Watergate building in Washington. The burglars were discovered to be a part of former president Richard Nixon's reelection campaign. Whether Nixon knew of the Watergate plans is still debated.

However, what is known is that Nixon was caught raising money to keep the case hidden and away from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Due to the First Amendment, the press was able to print the story when two reporters for The Washington Post brought to light the scandal in 1974. After the newspaper article was published, Nixon resigned.

While Freedom of the Press is in regards to written word, Freedom of Speech is in regards to verbal speech. It allows Americans the ability to say what they want as long as it isn't obscene or false, as those may lead to charges.

Freedom of Speech was created so that the American population could speak their mind without fear of reprisal from the government. When King joined the March on Washington for jobs and freedom, and delivered a speech which challenged the current societal norms and laws, he did so without fear of reprisal or suppression because of his First Amendment rights.

Along with his right of free speech, King exercised his right to assemble by speaking at peaceful assemblies of people seeking equal rights. Between sit-ins and other peaceful demonstrations, the American people were able to stand up for their rights and still be considered "peacefully assembled".

As military members we are allowed all the rights of the U.S. Constitution, with some limitations. Examples of this include AFI51-903, which says that military personnel may not attend protests in uniform, or Article 89, which outlaws disrespect towards a superior commissioned officer.

The Constitution is something all military members swore to protect. The First Amendment has changed many lives with its numerous freedoms. Whether it was Dr. King's famous I Have a Dream speech or the press being able to educate the American public on the Watergate scandal, the First Amendment has played a role in the history of America, and the U.S. military has played a crucial role in protecting it.