What are the rights protected by the First Amendment?

The First Amendment to the United States Constitution protects fundamental rights that are essential to democracy and individual liberty. Specifically, it guarantees the freedoms of speech, religion, the press, assembly, and the right to petition the government.

These protections ensure that individuals can express their ideas and beliefs without fear of government reprisal, communicate and share information publicly, gather collectively for various purposes, and seek to influence government decisions. This foundational set of rights helps to foster an open and democratic society where citizens can freely share their opinions and advocate for change.

The other options refer to important rights but fall outside the specific protections outlined in the First Amendment. The right to bear arms is encapsulated in the Second Amendment, while voting rights are primarily protected by several amendments, including the Fifteenth, Nineteenth, and Twenty-fourth Amendments. The right to privacy is not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution but has been interpreted through various Supreme Court rulings.