First Amendment Violations

Your parents insist you attend church every Sunday. Does this violate the First Amendment's freedom of religion?

• Yes

• No

Answer explanation

The First Amendment does not apply to parents.

Your private school requires you to say a certain prayer each morning, even though you have a different faith. Does this violate the First Amendment's freedom of religion?

• Yes

• No

Answer explanation

A private school can require religious activities. Its funding does not come from the government, it does not have to enforce freedom of expression.

Your public school begins a sporting event with a student-led prayer over the school’s PA system. Does this violate the First Amendment’s freedom of religion? Why or why not?

• Yes

• No

Answer explanation

According to the Supreme Court’s ruling in Sante Fe Independent School District v. Doe (2000), public school-sponsored, student-led prayer violates the First Amendment.

Your state passes a law that everyone must pay taxes to support a specific church. Does this violate the First Amendment’s freedom of religion? Why or why not?

• Yes

• No

Answer explanation

The First Amendment forbids the government from establishing an official religion. That applies to state and local government as well.

You work in a retail store after school and on weekends. Your boss says you have to stop talking so much while you’re working. Does this violate the First Amendment’s freedom of speech? Why or why not?

• Yes

• No

Answer explanation

Private employers do not have to abide by the First Amendment.

Your public school administrator suspends you for wearing a black armband in protest of a war. Does this violate the First Amendment’s freedom of speech? Why or why not?

• Yes

• No

Answer explanation

As demonstrated in the Tinker v. Des Moines case, schools cannot limit student expression unless there is a material and substantial proof of disruption to the learning environment.

Your public school principal says you can’t come to school as long as your hair is dyed purple. Does this violate the First Amendment’s freedom of speech? Why or why not?

• Yes

• No

Answer explanation

Schools can set dress codes and make rules about students’ appearance.

You do not wish to say the Pledge of Allegiance each morning, and your principal expels you. Does this violate the First Amendment’s freedom of speech? Why or why not?

• Yes

• No

Answer explanation

The Supreme Court ruled in West Virginia v. Barnette (1943) that the First Amendment protects your right not to be forced to say something.

You work in a restaurant. Your boss treats you unfairly, and you write about what happened on your Facebook page. Your boss finds out what you wrote and fires you. Does this violate the First Amendment’s freedom of the press?

• Yes

• No

Answer explanation

Private employers do not have to abide by the First Amendment.

Your school newspaper is produced by the journalism class. Your public school principal objects to the content of an article censors the newspaper. Does this violate the First Amendment’s freedom of the press?

• Yes

• No

Answer explanation

Unless a previously established agreement was made prior to the release of the newspaper, the newspaper is under prior-review, meaning that the principal has a right to censorship. If a newspaper is considered an open-forum, then yes, the principal censoring it is a violation.