What makes us American? What makes us free? Many people will debate that it’s our patriotism, our right to directly influence our government, or our will to persevere and overcome our challenges. Although those do attribute to our freedom the American people are defined through their voice. The freedoms of assembly, speech, and press give citizens power to control our country. These rights give citizens the power to directly impact our government, keep our three branches in check, and truly put the people in charge. However, we own these rights, but many Americans do not fully exercise the full potential of assembly, speech, and press. To first understand the actions and power that the freedoms of assembly, speech, and press wield the origin must be learned. We begin with the First Amendment of the constitution: 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. (constitutioncenter.org) A member of the Bill of Rights, the First Amendment was passed by congress September 25th, 1789. Also known as the human rights the First Amendment gave citizens the reigns of this country by giving them a voice. Now that we know where these human rights stem from we can explain what they mean. The freedom of assembly gives citizens the right to peacefully assemble in public or private without interference by the government, or federal officials. The freedom of speech empowers citizens to freely speak their minds without censorship or punishment. Freedom of press allows Americans to print freely without censorship and distribute articles, along the same lines of the freedom of speech. Most, if not all Americans understand their rights granted by the First Amendment, but many don’t grasp the importance of these freedoms. The freed