"The First Amendment guarantees freedoms of speech, religion, the press, association and petition, and was a radical and revolutionary departure from a world in which state-imposed religious persecution, censorship and oppression was the norm. As those living in the U.S., we should be proud to have the liberty to exercise these rights, which are not guaranteed in many other countries. The Constitution set the guiding principles for our nation, and over 200 years later, the freedoms contained in the Bill of Rights distinguish us from other nations."
