The First Amendment/ of the Bill of Rights protects/ a person’s right/ to freedom of expression./ Freedom of expression allows/ open discussion/ and debate/ on public issues./ Open discussion/ and debate are/ important/ to democracy./ The First Amendment also protects/ freedom of religion/ and free speech./ This amendment says that/ Congress may not pass/ laws that/ establish/ an official religion/ and may not limit/ religious expression./ Congress may not pass/ laws that/ limit freedom of the press/ or the right of people/ to meet peacefully./

The First Amendment also gives people/ the right/ to petition the government/ to change laws/ or acts /that are not fair./ Congress may not take away/ these rights./ The First Amendment/ of the Constitution guarantees/ and protects these rights./