Amended! Liberty's Guide to the First Amendment

For the Redress of Grievances

The last right enshrined in the First Amendment is perhaps the least known and the most ignored: the right to petition the government for the redress of grievances. The simple act of petitioning evolved from a royal court privilege to a primary function of the U.S. Congress. In this final episode of the first season of Amended! digs into the history, struggles, and the surprisingly old power of petitions in shaping monarchies and American democracy — with a few sci-fi jokes thrown in for good measure. You'll hear about the origins of petitioning, from Magna Carta to the American Revolution. You'll discover that, in colonial America and the early years of our nation, petitions were powerful, direct, and surprisingly inclusive, a tool that was available even for Native Americans and enslaved people. You'll also find out how slavery led to rules that changed the nature of petitioning, and how, as the country grew, the sheer volume of of petitions ultimately led to the vast federal bureaucracy. And as a bonus, learn how a simple Star Wars joke kickstarted a NASA project (Spot the Station [https://spotthestation.nasa.gov/]). Just goes to show, even geeky petitions can make a big impact. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Legally Allowed to Be Annoying in Public

Understanding the Hidden Power of the First Amendment's Right to Assemble — And Why It Matters More Than Ever Ever wondered why rallies, protests, and even social media blockades are the backbone of democracy? Buckle up, because we're diving into a constitutional cornerstone that’s more relevant than your Wi-Fi password. Most of us think freedom of speech is the star of the First Amendment, but there's a behind-the-scenes hero that often gets less airtime: freedom of assembly. Turns out, it's the secret sauce behind protests, social movements, and even how democracy keeps its mojo, yet most Americans can’t even name it. The 20th-century history of assembly is packed with stories that changed lives, from civil rights sit-ins in Mississippi to the clash of neo-Nazis and Holocaust survivors in Skokie, Illinois. Spoiler alert: when it’s about the right to rally against injustice or even defend hateful speech, the principle that all groups, no matter how unpopular, get to be heard is tested like never before. In the digital age, Facebook, Twitter, and even the president’s tweets are mirror images of this age-old struggle. Why does it matter? Because the right of assembly isn’t just a legal abstraction; it’s the backbone of societal change. From historic marches to online mobs, this episode explains why the right to gather is about more than just standing in a park—it’s about shaping society itself. And remember: When you see a protest, a town hall, or a viral online rally, you're not just a bystander. You're an active participant in the ongoing experiment called American democracy. Now go forth, assemble wisely, and keep speaking your mind! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

You Call That Journalism?

The Free Press Clause was written for a world of ink and paper. But what happens when anyone with a smartphone can be a journalist, and powerful billionaires can secretly bankroll lawsuits to silence outlets they dislike? In this episode of Amended!, host Liberty explores one of the most urgent and unsettled questions in First Amendment law: who counts as "the press" today, and who gets the protections that come with it. From legacy newsrooms like the New York Times to self-styled "First Amendment Auditors" testing the boundaries of public access on livestream, Liberty maps a media ecosystem that has exploded in size and splintered in legitimacy. Along the way, she unpacks the landmark legal cases that define press freedom as we know it, including: * New York Times v. Sullivan — the foundational ruling that set the bar for defamation claims against public figures * Bollea v. Gawker — the Hulk Hogan sex-tape case that bankrupted a major new media outlet, later revealed to have been secretly funded by tech billionaire Peter Thiel Key questions this episode answers: * What does the Free Press Clause actually protect — and what doesn't it cover? * Can bloggers, citizen journalists, and livestreamers claim the same legal protections as traditional reporters? * How are press freedoms being tested, eroded, and redefined right now? Amended! is an educational, irreverent six-part podcast series produced by Voxtopica, with support from the Frick Initiative at Washington University in St. Louis. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

They Can't Say That, Can They?

Free speech: the most iconic right guaranteed by the First Amendment. And, of course, one of the most controversial. Defining what counts as "speech" and when it can be regulated has sparked some of the most explosive cultural and legal battles in American history. In this episode, Liberty digs into landmark cases that have shaped modern free speech doctrine: from a once-scandalous French art film that now feels quaint, to George Carlin's iconic "Seven Dirty Words," to the outrageous (and raunchy) satire at the center of the clash between Hustler Magazine publisher Larry Flynt and televangelist Jerry Falwell. Join Liberty for an irreverent tour through the courtroom battles that have defined freedom of speech and the new digital frontiers testing its boundaries in real time. This educational and irreverent six-part series was produced by Voxtopica with the generous support of a grant from the Frick Initiative at Washington University in St. Louis. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

O Your Honor, Hear My Prayer

The First Amendment’s freedom of religion clauses were the Founding Fathers' way of saying, “Hands off people’s beliefs,” but the way they work in real life is far more complicated, thanks to the constant pressure of believers from the Jehovah's Witnesses to the Satanic Temple. In this episode, Liberty explores how the Free Exercise Clause—the "believe what you want" rule in the Constitution—has constantly been tested by worshipers who wear spaghetti strainers on their heads and believers who knock on doors relentlessly to share the Good News. Then she explains how the Establishment Clause—the “no official religion” rule—evolved from a Federal restriction into law for States, towns, and school districts, thanks to a teenager reading the Koran in high school and statues of the demon Baphomet on State Capitol grounds. Join her on this raucous ride over centuries of changing views on what, exactly, freedom of religion actually guarantees for Americans and why so much of the law surrounding it is thought to be "broken." This educational and irreverent six-part series was produced by Voxtopica with the generous support of a grant from the Frick Initiative at Washington University in St. Louis. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].