The First Amendment to the Constitution reads:  “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”.

It is important that all Americans understand and are protected under this Amendment, especially considering recent governmental interference in our ability to speak freely and peaceably assemble, as well as attempts to control our free press.

This amendment was intended to allow all citizens to speak without government regulating or controlling the content of the speech.  Protests and marches that are peaceful are protected as well.  Obviously, violence or destruction of public or private property is NEVER okay.  

To silence the free press is very dangerous as historically they have played “watch dog” for all Americans.   Sometimes the truth may not align with what everyone wants to hear, but to restrict or silence truth is never right.  We all lose if that happens.

Government deciding what can or cannot be said, who can or cannot assemble, what press is allowed in and what they can report, strikes at the very core of our democracy.  These rights are ours and they are for everyone and should never be controlled!   

Right now, there are a lot of people with grievances, and it is their right and patriotic duty to stand up and be heard.  We cannot sit idly by and watch basic human rights and programs being stripped from anyone.  We cannot sit idly by and watch people be “taken” and not allowed due process according to the law.

The League of Women Voters recently released the following statement: “The President declared the protests as a rebellion against the United States, a characterization he uses as his basis for overstepping his presidential powers to subvert the First Amendment right to association and protest.  A functioning democracy must ensure that we the people can hold our government accountable without fear of violence from the government.”

The freedoms we have in America are like nowhere else on earth, but they are still works-in-progress and vulnerable to whim and reversal.  Once lost, it may be impossible for rights to be regained.  I encourage everyone to pay attention and stand up for our rights!

Co-published by the Ellensburg Daily Newspaper on June 21, 2025. Maureen McKinney helps chair Communications/Outreach for LWV Kittitas County.  She is retired and lives in the Manastash Canyon with her dog Belle.   Living with wildlife (except for one rogue turkey!) in our beautiful county is her happy place.