we’re number one! free speech, religion, press, assembly, petition created by the ohio state bar...
TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
WE’RE NUMBER ONE!
FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION
Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation
![Page 2: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Relevant Free Speech Case
Evans v. Bayer (2010)
Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation
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Background Story
• Senior Katherine Evans
• Facebook page rant against teacher
• Home computer – after school
• No disruption of school activities
![Page 4: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Background Story
• Teacher never saw posting
• Principal did
• Page was removed
• Suspended Evans, an honor student
![Page 5: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Background Story
• Dismissed from AP classes
• Evans sued
![Page 6: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Background Story• First Amendment rights:
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.
![Page 7: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Legal Problem
• Was Evans denied her right to free speech?
• Did her free speech pose a threat to the teacher?
![Page 8: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Arguments in Favor of Evans
• Posted on a personal home computer
• No school disruption
• Page was not vulgar or threatening
• No illegal or dangerous behavior
• Stain on Evans’ academic record
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Arguments in Favor of the Principal
• Cyber bullying/harassment toward a staff member
• Libelous and disruptive
• Principal protected personally from lawsuits
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Outcome• Florida District Court
ruled rights were violated
• Protected speech: – off campus– no disruption – not vulgar or
threatening
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Outcome
• No access at school
• Reach of the school was too great
• Groundbreaking case about social media
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Outcome
• Schools can restrict some speech
• Deterring illegal drug use is important
• No political statement- no protected speech
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WE’RE NUMBER ONE!
FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION
Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation
![Page 14: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Relevant Free Speech Case
Morse v. Frederick (2007)
Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation
![Page 15: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Background Story
• Olympic Torch Relay through Juneau
• Students watched historic event
![Page 16: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Background Story
• Frederick would not comply friends held banner
• “BONG HiTS 4 JESUS”
![Page 17: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
Background Story
• Principal Morse ordered banner to be taken down
• Frederick would not comply
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Background Story
• Frederick was suspended
• Appeal of suspension failed
• Sued principal
• Free speech was being denied
![Page 19: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Background Story• First Amendment rights:
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.
![Page 20: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
Legal problem
• Were his free speech rights violated?
• Does a school have the right to ban drug-related messages at school-sponsored events?
• Can a student be punished for displaying such a message?
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Arguments in Favor of the School
• Advocating drug use- violation of school policy
• School-sponsored event
• Restrict student expression if it suggests illegal activity
• Frederick’s speech was not political
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Arguments in Favor of Frederick
• Other interpretations of banner
• Meaningless and funny
• No disruption of school activity
• Off school grounds- watching a parade
![Page 23: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
Outcome• Supreme Court ruled 5-4 for
school
• Taking banner down was justified
• Event was part of school day
• School’s interpretation of banner was reasonable
![Page 24: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
Outcome
• Schools can restrict some speech
• Deterring illegal drug use is important
• No political statement- no protected speech
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WE’RE NUMBER ONE!
FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION
Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation
![Page 26: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
Historical Free Speech Case
Tinker v. Des Moines School District (1969)
Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation
![Page 27: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
Background Story• Protested military action in
Vietnam
• John and Mary Beth Tinker wore black armbands to school
• Remove them or be suspended- new school policy
• Tinkers refused
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Background Story
• Suspended and sent home
• Could not come back until armbands removed
• Tinkers sued in a U.S. District Court
• They lost
![Page 29: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
Background Story
• Tinkers appealed to the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals
• Lost again
• Appealed to the Supreme Court
![Page 30: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
Background Story• First Amendment rights:
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.
![Page 31: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
Legal Problem
• Does the First Amendment’s promise of free speech extend to the symbolic speech of public school students?
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Arguments in Favor of the school
• School’s duty is to provide education
• Serious disruption of school activities
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Arguments in Favor of the School• First Amendment does
not define what is protected speech
• Types of expressive actions are not specified
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Arguments in Favor of the Tinkers
• Armband is not an attempt to disrupt
• First Amendment protects students too
• Anti-Vietnam message is only one being suppressed by policy
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Outcome
• Supreme Court ruled 7-2 for Tinkers
• Wearing armbands was “pure speech”
• First Amendment applied to more than just verbal expression
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Outcome
• Students are persons with rights
• Unpopular expression does not justify suppressing it
• Does not interfere with school discipline
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WE’RE NUMBER ONE!
FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION
Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation
![Page 38: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/38.jpg)
Historical Free Speech Case
Bethel School Dist. No. 403 v. Fraser (1986)
Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation
![Page 39: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/39.jpg)
Background Story
• Matthew Fraser’s speech at mandatory assembly
• Nominating a classmate for student body vice president
• Graphic sexual puns and double entendres
![Page 40: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/40.jpg)
Background Story
• Some students were embarrassed
• Some students laughed and made rude gestures
![Page 41: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/41.jpg)
Background Story
• Fraser broke rules against “obscene, profane language or gestures.”
• Suspended
• Could not speak at graduation
• Sued district
• Right to free speech
![Page 42: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/42.jpg)
Background Story• First Amendment rights:
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.
![Page 43: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/43.jpg)
Legal Problem
• Did Fraser have a right to deliver a sexually graphic speech at a school assembly?
• Were his free speech rights violated?
• Does the First Amendment prevent a school from disciplining a student for giving a lewd speech at an assembly?
![Page 44: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/44.jpg)
Arguments in Favor of the School
• Against school rules and disruptive
• School responsibility to teach appropriate behavior
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Arguments in Favor of the School
• Vulgar speech against fundamental values
• Fraser had been forewarned
• Tinker v. Des Moines does not apply- not protected political speech
![Page 46: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/46.jpg)
Arguments in Favor of Fraser
• No big threat to fundamental values- not disruptive
• Vulgar joking among teens is common-constitutionally protected outside of school
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Arguments in Favor of Fraser
• Not an example of Tinker’s disruption standard
• Fraser had a right to say what he wanted
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Outcome• Supreme Court ruled 7-2 for
school
• First Amendment not violated
• Student free speech rights not equal to adults
• Appropriate speech can be determined by schools
![Page 49: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/49.jpg)
Outcome
• Fraser’s speech differed from political speech of Tinker
• Schools teach socially acceptable behavior
• Protect students from offensive language
![Page 50: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/50.jpg)
Outcome
• School’s disciplinary policy does not need to be as descriptive as criminal code
• Fraser was warned
• Ruling important- schools have a right to expect students to behave
![Page 51: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/51.jpg)
WE’RE NUMBER ONE!
FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION
Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation
![Page 52: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/52.jpg)
Relevant Freedom of Religion Case
Board of Education v. Mergens
(1990)
Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation
![Page 53: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/53.jpg)
Background Story
• Bridget Mergens wanted a Christian Bible study at school
• School said “No”
![Page 54: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/54.jpg)
Background Story
• School cannot give preference to one religion
• No faculty sponsor
• Mergens and others sued
![Page 55: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/55.jpg)
Background Story• First Amendment rights:
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.
![Page 56: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/56.jpg)
Legal Problem
• Are schools that permit other non-curriculum clubs in violation of the Constitution if they ban religious clubs?
• Does separation of church and state apply in this case?
![Page 57: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/57.jpg)
Arguments in Favor of Mergens
• Equal Access Act of 1984 gives right to form clubs
• School violates First Amendment right to free exercise of religion without government interference
![Page 58: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/58.jpg)
Arguments in Favor of the School
• School is part of state
• Separation of church and state
• Religious club violates separation
• Equal Access Act does not apply- unconstitutional
• Teachers cannot participate in student religious clubs
![Page 59: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/59.jpg)
Outcome
• Supreme Court ruled 8-1 for Mergens
• Equal Access Act does not violate First Amendment
![Page 60: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/60.jpg)
Outcome
• Equal Access Act protects students
• School not endorsing religion
![Page 61: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/61.jpg)
WE’RE NUMBER ONE!
FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION
Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation
![Page 62: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/62.jpg)
Historical Freedom of Religion Case
Wisconsin v. Yoder
(1972)
Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation
![Page 63: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/63.jpg)
Background Story
• Some Amish do not send children to school after eighth grade
• Yoder and other parents broke Wisconsin compulsory education law
• Simple life apart from worldly influences
![Page 64: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/64.jpg)
Background Story
• Amish parents were prosecuted
• James Yoder (parent) represented the Amish families in court
• Amish lost
• Fined $5 for breaking law
• Case appealed all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court
![Page 65: WE’RE NUMBER ONE! FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation](https://reader035.vdocuments.mx/reader035/viewer/2022062712/56649c9a5503460f94958470/html5/thumbnails/65.jpg)
Background Story• First Amendment rights:
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.
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Legal Problem
• Did Wisconsin’s compulsory attendance law violate the First Amendment’s Free Exercise of religion clause?
• Were the Amish being punished for their religious beliefs?
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Arguments in Favor of Yoder
• Attendance violates religious beliefs
• Religious beliefs are genuine
• High school life will undermine Amish beliefs
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Arguments in Favor of Wisconsin• School prepares students to
become effective citizens
• School prepares students to be self-reliant
• Children have a right to education
• Children have a right to be emancipated
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Outcome
• Supreme Court ruled 7-0 for Yoder
• Free exercise of religion more important than compulsory education
• Modern American values conflict with Amish values
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Outcome
• Amish children are self-reliant
• No need for two more years
• Case is about freedom of religion, not children’s First Amendment rights
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WE’RE NUMBER ONE!
FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, PETITION
Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation
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Present Day Realities
Judging the First Amendment
Created by the Ohio State Bar Foundation
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Background
James Madison:
“Freedom is not limited to things that do not matter much. That would be a mere shadow of freedom.”
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Background
Needs that matter– First Amendment Rights
1. Worship as we please
2. Speak what we think
3. Get and exchange information via a free press
4. Assemble as we deem necessary
5. Petition our government to listen to us and to right any wrongs
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First Amendment Questions
• Can a teenager research sexting on the internet in a public library?
• Does a cable company have the right to block your access to certain Websites?
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First Amendment Questions
• Can a DJ swear? Can the DJ get fired for speaking out against a certain religious or ethnic group?
• Can stores be restricted from selling violent video games to minors?
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First Amendment Questions
• Should musicians be allowed to sing songs with offensive lyrics in them?
• Should students be allowed to wear Confederate symbols to school even a Confederate flag dress to prom?
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First Amendment Questions
• Are dial-a-porn services legal?
• If the government is not supposed to prohibit speech, why does it prohibit some kinds of speech?
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First Amendment Questions
• Can a Nazi group demonstrate in a mostly Jewish neighborhood?
• Does a shopping mall have a right to ban gathering petitions on its premises?
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First Amendment Questions
• Can you pass out literature for or against a candidate or an issue anonymously?
• Do third party candidates have the right to participate in televised political debates even if they have little support and are hardly known?
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First Amendment Questions
• Should a blogger (non- traditional journalist) have equal access to the White House briefing room?
• Are you allowed to wear T-shirts with anti-war slogans printed on them when the President speaks to Congress?
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First Amendment Questions
• Should corporations and unions have the same freedom of speech rights as individuals do in supporting political candidates?
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First Amendment Questions
• Are religions that involve handling of poisonous snakes or that believe a man can have multiple wives protected?
• Should a Ten Commandments monument be allowed on government properties such as a state capitol? How about a nativity scene?
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First Amendment Questions
• Should students be allowed to display religious headwear when participating on teams with uniform requirements?
• Can religious people who believe only in faith and prayer refuse medical treatment for their children?
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First Amendment Questions
• Can a community petition to keep a mosque from building in its neighborhood?
• Can religious groups use illegal drugs during their religious practices?
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First Amendment Questions
• Should students be allowed to speak of their religious faith in classrooms or at public school events? Offer a prayer at events?
• Should Congress and the President participate in a national day of prayer?
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First Amendment Questions• Should freedom of religion
be granted to extreme or fringe religious groups? Was it meant to?
• Should the United States be considered mostly a Christian nation whose values must be protected?
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First Amendment QuestionsDoes the First Amendment go too far in protecting:
• Worshipping as we please
• Speaking what we think
• Getting and exchanging information via a free press
• Assembling as we deem necessary
• Petitioning our government to listen to us and to right any wrongs?