- The Evolution of the First Amendment                  The first amendment 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 peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.(encyclopedia)         The inhabitants of the North American colonies did not have a legal right to express opposition to the British …showed first 75 words of 975 total…

…showed last 75 words of 975 total…legal, issues. And it will also require an enlargement of our understanding of such rights to include public access to the various mass media. Bibliography Eldridge, Larry D. A Distant Heritage: The Growth of Free Speech in Early America. New York: New York University Press, 1994. Kairys, David. The Politics of Law In These Times. New York. Patheon Press, 1991. McWhirter, Darien A. Freedom of Speech, Press, and Assembly, Phoenix AZ: Oryx Press, 1994. The World Book Encyclopedia.1995.