Where does freedom of speech come from?
Freedom of Speech is found in the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States: 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 to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. The First Amendment prevents the federal government from arbitrarily and unnecessarily interfering with an individual’s speech. Through the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, this protection is extended to prevent similar actions by state governments. Q. Must I actually speak to be protected by the First Amendment?
