Government
Chapter 13 Fundamental Freedoms
Section 4: Freedom of Assembly and Petition
Objectives
1. How does the First Amendment protect the rights of assembly and petition on public
property?
2. How is the freedom to demonstrate restricted on private property?
3. How does freedom of assembly support freedom of association?
I.
Demonstrations and Protests
a. These are very common
i. Equal rights
ii. Abortion
iii. Honoring certain groups or causes
b. PURPOSE???
i. Persuade gov officials and others to pursue certain goals
c. These are protected by Bill of Rights
d. Gov can set boundaries to protect rights of others
A.
Assembly and Public Property
a. Can not block streets, be too loud, etc
b. For parades—must get a permit
c. Police could end protests if they get violent
d. End protests that could disrupt school activities
e. Some protests allowed, even if unpopular
i. Skokie case (1978)
1. Skokie, Illinois
2. Neo-Nazi parade
3. Many in Skokie were Jews, including some who escaped the
concentration camps
4. Parade was allowed
ii. KKK rallies are allowed in not violent
B. Assembly and Private Property
a. Protests are very restricted on private property
b. Lloyd Corporation v Tanner
i. 1972
ii. Shopping mall
iii. Protestors trying to pass out literature opposing Vietnam War
iv. Court ruled mall owners could not allow them to do so
C. Peaceful Association
a. Freedom of assembly also = right to associate with various groups without
interference from the government