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Santa Monica College Library

First Amendment

Resources on the First Amendment

First Amendment Overview

The First Amendment applies to the federal, state, and local governments:

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.

First Amendment protects:

  • Free exercise of religion and no establishment of religion
  • Freedom of the press
  • Freedom of speech (commercial, compelled, political, obscenity)
  • Right to peaceful assembly and petition