Freedom of Speech
Freedom of Speech is the right to freely express yourself in all types of expression. Freedom of speech is the political right to communicate one's opinions and ideas using one's body and property to anyone who is willing to receive them. Freedom of Speech was once only for the rich and powerful. Royal governors, clergymen, and a powerful few in the early days of the colonies were the only folks allowed to speak their minds. Now, thanks to the Bill of Rights, Free Speech is a protected right for everyone. Freedom of speech is the political right to communicate your opinions and thoughts to anyone who is willing to receive them.
Tinker V. De Moines
- John and Mary Beth Tinker 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.
Virginia V. Black
- On August 22, 1998 Barry Black led a KKK rally in Carroll County, Virginia. Twenty five to thirty people attended this rally on private property with the owner's permission. At the conclusion of the rally the crowd circled around a 25-30 foot cross and set it aflame. A person living in a nearby house witnessed the rally and said the language she heard made her very scared and feel awful. The sheriff entered the rally and arrested Black under a Virginia law for burning a cross with the intent of intimidating a person or group of persons.
To find more court cases on Freedom of Speech, click the link above.
Watch video about Freedom of Speech here: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/how-supreme-court-justices-are-leaning-in-abortion-clinic-free-speech-case/