Title: 1 Amendment for All

Source/Sponsoring Agency: First Amendment Center; Newseum; McCormick Foundation; John S. and James L. Knight Foundation; American Society of News Editors

URL: http://1forall.us/

Date Checked: 12/14/2011      Status: Active

Date Annotated: 12/14/2011

Topics: Civil Rights; Constitutional Law

Other keywords: Freedom of speech; Freedom of religion; Freedom of assembly; Freedom of the press; Freedom of petition; United States Constitution. First Amendment

Contents: A project of the First Amendment Center, 1 for All is a "nonpartisan program designed to build understanding and support for First Amendment freedoms." The program has an educational mission, and it provides teaching materials to schools, supports educational events at college campuses, and seeks generally to improve the country´s knowledge of the First Amendment. Launched in summer 2011, 1 for All relies on collaboration among lawyers, librarians, educators, artists, and journalists. In pursuit of its educational mission, the program seeks to have all Americans understand the five freedoms in the First Amendment, while remaining above the fray of deep political division. The program promotes the belief that a "shared commitment" to our First Amendment freedoms should have a unifying effect in the country. The website provides material explaining the project´s activities, as well as educational items. The "About The First Amendment" page provides answers to 21 FAQs. The answers explore such topics as the individual clauses and what they mean, whether students may pray in public schools, and what constitutes indecent speech. A special initiative of the program, the "Liberty Tree Initiative” focuses on bringing programs and speakers to colleges and universities. Toward this end, schools may apply for grants. Current grant recipients include North Georgia College, the University of Minnesota, and the University of Missouri. Users of the site should also check out the Free to Tweet and YouTube contests, and the fun First Amendment Quiz.

Author of Annotation: M. Morrison