In the United States Constitution, the First Amendment grants citizens the right to free speech. This is a key factor in how America was raised and for the people who live in the United States today. This is an important right that they must have and be able to exercise. However, even though freedom of expression is part of the constitution, people today still struggle to be able to exercise their right to freedom of expression. There are barriers that prevent them from gaining their first amendment rights and people who discriminate against them in their rights. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essayFreedom of expression is a necessary right for the people and government of the country to ensure stability, justice and equality. But today, this right is not acquired by everyone. Freedom of expression is repeatedly suppressed by the government or judicial authorities. In some cases, citizens' speaking out will result in the threat of imprisonment. However, freedom of expression does not only concern words but also any expressive activity. It can only be restricted in extreme situations that conflict with other freedoms, such as protecting the community from harm or using false statements to harm someone. First Amendment rights are minimized by school officials who suppress their students' freedom of faith. and the government and police do not allow citizens to share opinions with the press that are not accepted by most. Although citizens have the right to freely express themselves, they face the threat of prison time if they share information about government programs. An example of suppressed free speech occurred at a University of Florida forum for Senator John Kerr in September 2007. A student named Andrew Meyer refused to leave the microphone and stop speaking his questions when asked, resulting in him being arrested and tasered. This incident highlights that even a small act of freedom of expression can result in drastic measures from authorities. Another violation of First Amendment free speech occurred on July 4, 2004, at a rally for President Bush's speech at the West Virginia state capitol. However, this was not about freedom of verbal expression, but rather the freedom to express one's opinion through clothing. Nicole and Jeffery Rank wore t-shirts with anti-Bush slogans at the rally and refused to cover them when asked by officials. Result: they were handcuffed and taken out of the gathering. The incident resulted in a lawsuit that the government settled, but it was revealed that during such events the government had the right to take such action. This meant that in Ranks' case, the government had the right to remove people who expressed free speech from government events. In some states, the government even goes so far as to regulate what citizens can wear. The style of baggy pants, pants below the underwear line, originating in prisons, is banned in some cities and violators face fines or even jail time. In Delcambre, Louisiana citizens who participate in this style will receive a $500 fine or 6 months in prison. Schools in Arkansas and Florida have also imposed dress codes prohibiting students..