The First Amendment protects several fundamental rights such as freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the right to assemble, and the right to petition the government. These rights help to restrict Congress from imposing laws that prohibit the free exercise of religion, abridge the freedom of speech, infringe on the freedom of the press, or interfere with the right to peaceably assemble and to petition the government for redress of grievances. The First Amendment guarantees basic political rights for Americans.
