Under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, one is granted the freedom of speech and the freedom to peacefully gather/petition, among five total rights granted under the First Amendment. As a result of this powerful amendment, Americans are able to take part in their civic responsibilities without having to fear that they might receive some form of punishment because of their opinions. Americans can also take part in their civic responsibilities without fearing that they will receive a cruel or unusual form of punishment as stated in the Eighth Amendment. Because of the rights granted to Americans in the United States Constitution, Americans are able to ensure the government’s power remains limited.
A civic responsibility is essentially a citizen’s duty to participate in government activities and other such events in order to maintain a democracy. However, it shouldn’t be confused with a punishment or a task one must do. It is in a citizen’s own interest to participate in civic responsibilities such as paying taxes, voting, and serving as a juror in court. By not taking part in the aforementioned duties, the government’s power would only increase due to the lack of …show more content…
Without Martin Luther King Jr., progress with racial equality in the 1950’s and 60’s would not have increased in leaps and bounds as it did under his influence. Without the women’s suffrage movement in the late 19th century, another peaceful protest filled movement that enacted change, women would not have received the right to vote on August 18, 1920. Thus one can see that peaceful protesting is not only a positive way for the citizens to get involved in the running of one’s government, but it is also a way of showing how the people remain in charge of the country by showing the government what the people