Welcome to 3 and 3.

Three key facts in three minutes or less on the topics you care about most.

The First Amendment.

Key Fact Number 1.

The First Amendment of the Constitution enshrines the fundamental right to free speech and a whole lot more.

It includes, for example, freedom of religion.

This means the government cannot mandate that you practice any religion in particular,

nor can the government prevent you from practicing any religion you want.

It includes freedom of the press.

Press literally refers to a printing press, as in the people's ability to

disseminate ideas, which is not to be confused with any notion of institutional press like

journalists or legacy media. Simply put, as defined in context, you, me, and everyone you know,

is the press. The right to assembly. The same type of assembly that allowed early settlers to

organize the insurrection against King George, also known as the American Revolution.

This right also includes protesting peacefully, the right to petition the government for redress

of grievances. This is the right to ask the government for assistance or to make a complaint

without fear of punishment

or retaliation. Key fact number two, the entities covered by the First Amendment. Of course,

the government is covered by the First Amendment, which includes elected officials, those in

government offices, public schools, courts, and police officers. Also covered, but perhaps less known,

are private institutions that are publicly funded,

like universities, for example.

...