Teacher Guide: How are NFL Protests Related to Symbolic Speech and the First Amendment?

Symbolic speech as a form of protest, like taking a knee at a football game while others stand for the National Anthem, enjoys a long history in America. The NFL protests—players taking a knee during the playing of the National Anthem before NFL games—provides an extraordinary opportunity for teaching how the idea of speech has evolved beyond the spoken word to encompass artistic and symbolic speech.

Lata Nott Podcast (with FAW Founder Stephen Solomon): Symbolic Speech

The Newseum Institute’s First Amendment expert, Lata Nott, originally published this podcast on the Newseum blog, and has given First Amendment Watch permission to reprint. In this episode of The First […]

Court Rules Baring Breasts Not Protected by First Amendment

The United States Court of Appeals for the  Seventh Circuit ruled that a Chicago ordinance did not violate the First Amendment freedom of speech or the Fourteenth Amendment Equal Protection […]

Louisiana Parish Council Passes Bill to Protect Flag From Desecration

The Iberville Parish Council without debate and against the American Civil Liberties Union’s recommendation passed an ordinance “to prohibit flag desecration of (the) American Flag, Louisiana Flag and Iberville Parish Flag.” Council […]

Players Who Sit Out National Anthem Under Fire From President Trump

Over the weekend, President Trump took aim at players who have more explicitly over the past year taken to kneeling, sitting or raising a fist during the playing of the National Anthem in order to bring awareness to racism and police brutality. In response to the President's tweets, NFL players in games across the country responded by kneeling or sitting out the national anthem. Debate bubbled over on social media over whether this was a fireable offense or freedom of expression.