The First Amendment states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” It thus protects the freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly and petition from interference by the government. The First Amendment also protects something known as the right of association—the right of groups and people to associate together for expressive purposes.