AMENDMENT 1

Source: Student Suspended for Facebook Page Sue, February 15, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/16/education/16student.html

Constitutional Connection: Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression
“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.”

Explanation of Connection:

A teenage girl made a page criticizing one of her high school teachers. She was suspended from high school for that page. Now she is suing her high school principal to get the suspension expunged from her record. The federal has ruled that she can proceed with that lawsuit.

This article demonstrates Amendment 1 of the United States Constitution. The U.S. Constitution gives everyone freedom of speech. This girl was punished for that right. That is why the federal court let her sue her principal.

I couldn’t imagine a society where no one had freedom of speech. Everyone would have to watch what they say all of the time and no one would express how they feel. The girl didn’t even say anything threatening or harmful to the teacher so she should not have gotten in trouble for this. This is one of the best additions to the Constitution ever. Everyone should be able to say what they want to.