US Constitutional Law/Freedom of Speech

Congress shall make no law... abridging the freedom of speech.

—First amendment, speech clause

The Freedom of Speech is guaranteed by the Constitution in the First Amendment. The Supreme Court of the United States perhaps protects this aspect of the First Amendment the most among all the clauses found therein, with Freedom of the Press being tied with it. Nevertheless, the Supreme Court has found that there are exceptions to this freedom in very limited contexts. In some other instances, the Supreme Court has defined certain other aspects of speech to be constitutional where a first glance may appear to not be.

Do we have the right to contribute money to political campaigns on the basis of freedom of speech? Do students have the right to display a banner that reads "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" at a corporate-sponsored rally in which the school gave permission to attend? What limitations, if any, do commercials have when advertising? Do we have the right to sit during the pledge of allegiance even when compelled to by law or government actor? Am I allowed to burn the flag in a public event? Do I have the right to ignore loyalty oaths or affirmations if it is against my beliefs?

These were questions addressed by the Supreme Court on some occasion or other, and these are not all the questions addressed by the Supreme Court. Here is a wikipedia page that lists more cases that the Supreme Court has addressed.

Compelled Speech

If there is any fixed star in our constitutional constellation, it is that no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or other matters of opinion or force citizens to confess by word or act their faith therein.

—Justice Jackson, West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624, 642 (1943)