What rights are granted by the First Amendment?

The First Amendment of the United States Constitution is foundational in protecting essential civil liberties. It guarantees several key rights that are crucial for a democratic society. These rights include freedom of speech, which allows individuals to express their opinions without fear of government censorship; freedom of religion, ensuring that individuals can practice their beliefs freely; freedom of the press, which allows for the dissemination of information and the press’s role as a watchdog; freedom of assembly, which gives people the right to gather peacefully for protests or other purposes; and the right to petition the government, enabling citizens to make their concerns known.

This broad protection of individual liberties serves to empower citizens and promote open dialogue and engagement in the political process. Other choices refer to rights not covered by the First Amendment. The right to bear arms pertains to the Second Amendment, the right to a fair trial is covered by the Sixth Amendment, and protection against self-incrimination is found in the Fifth Amendment. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the core freedoms essential for the exercise of democracy and individual expression as established in the First Amendment.