Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Assembly, and Right to Petition

by John Stumpner

Imagine you could be arrested for speaking out against the government. Or that being friends with people that didn’t agree with the government could land you in jail. Even today, in many countries around the world, one can be arrested, jailed, or worse for disagreeing with the government. This is true in both third world dictatorships and some modern, developed countries. The Founding Fathers of the United States knew that a strong country needed a free and open exchange of ideas. They also wanted to make sure that the citizens could influence the elected legislatures, not just at elections, but at any time through lobbying and petitions. So as part of the First Amendment to the Constitution, they included guarantees of Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Assembly, and the Right to Petition.

We elect leaders to make decisions for us. Only by hearing all the different viewpoints can our leaders make good decisions. The First Amendment guarantee of freedom of speech means that all people can express their ideas in the open, without fear of punishment. This does not mean one can lie about someone else or something, try to start a fight, or make threats to commit crimes. Lies and threats only make the person look bad and show how little that person really knows. Calm and reasonable speech, such as the speech and writing of ABATE of Wisconsin, can and do influence our leaders and help them provide good government.

Freedom of Assembly is just like it sounds. Although reasonable restrictions to protect the general public are allowed, any group of people can organize and assemble any time for any reason. Motorcycle clubs, religious groups and protest marches are all examples of freedom of assembly. Over its 50-year history, ABATE of Wisconsin has used the Freedom of Assembly to influence our state legislature. Just this past February, hundreds of ABATE members went to Madison, which has resulted in some new laws being proposed to protect motorcycling in Wisconsin into the future.

Even a government elected by the people can sometimes forget the people. Right to Petition means that any citizen at any time has the right to ask the government for any of a variety of things. Examples of things include asking for a new law, changing an existing law, or making right some bad thing that was done. Every year, hundreds of ABATE of Wisconsin members go to the state capital to lobby for laws to protect our freedom of the road.

Organizations like ABATE of Wisconsin, however, have learned how to effectively use the Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Assembly, and the Right to Petition. When confronted by an assembly of like-minded individuals, the government then has to consider whatever they are petitioning for. It is very difficult for the Wisconsin State Legislature to ignore 500 bikers visiting the Capitol and knocking on the door of every member of the State Legislature. If that isn’t enough, a thousand motorcycles circling the Capitol building reminds the legislature ABATE of Wisconsin is waiting for action on our concerns.

 John