What it protects: Freedom to peacefully assemble.

What that means: You can gather in a public place and hang out or protest so long as you remain civil.

What it does NOT protect: Looting, burning and otherwise destroying communities, especially the one you reside. Notice how the Constitution says (the First Amendment specifically) “peacefully.” That’s a key word. It does not say, “create chaos and disturb the public sphere of order just because you’re angry.” Even if you read between the lines and take years of precedent into account I don’t think you’d find that. But maybe protestors are the budding legal minds of our generation and can understand the Constitution far better than my average mind can.

What it protects: Freedom of speech

What that means: In recent years, the Supreme Court has applied this quite liberally to include protections for campaign contributions as well as other forms of political speech. *Cue the Bernie Bros* Political speech is held in the highest regard when talking about free speech so it gets the most protection. It even goes so far as to include acts of expression like wearing a shirt that says something like, “Obama is a fascist” or as vague as “The system is broken.” Included in that expression is the right to sit/stand/jog/jump/whatever during the National Anthem and to even burn the flag as an act of political protest. Are either of those a good idea? Probably not, but they are rights protected by the First Amendment and the media will give you coverage ad nauseam until some other unimportant story comes along.

What it does NOT protect: You still can’t yell, “Fire” in a crowded movie theater.

What it protects: Freedom of religion.

What that means: You can be any religion you want including not being a part of a one. You can believe the world is ruled by a bowl of spaghetti, that bacon is a sin or even that a virgin became pregnant by not having sex. Really, go nuts.

What it does NOT protect: Using your religious beliefs to inflict prejudice among others. You can lecture until you’re blue in the face about how cool Abraham and Moses were but no one wants to hear about how everything is a sin and that the endtimes are upon us. It’s not “God’s work.” It’s annoying. As much as the temptation rises, avoid the urge to cram your beliefs down someone else’s throat.