First Amendment

Text

“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.”

Plain English

The government can’t establish a religion or stop you from practicing yours. It can’t punish you for your views or stop you from speaking, publishing, gathering peacefully, or asking the government to fix problems.