The Constitution in American Life: Featuring the Friends of Publius
Four educators connect U.S. history, politics, Supreme Court decisions, political culture, and the Center for Civic Education’s We the People curriculum to the challenges of modern democracy. Listeners gain perspective on how the Constitution continues to shape American life.
The Constitution in American Life: Featuring the Friends of Publius
Speech in the Public Square
In this episode, the Friends of Publius discuss the issue of freedom of speech in the public square. This question is from Unit 5, Question 1 of the Center for Civic Education’s We the People curriculum.
Discussion Question Unit 5 Question 1
The U.S. Supreme Court has recognized “streets, sidewalks, and parks” as locations where “the government’s ability to permissibly restrict expressive conduct is very limited.” How should the government be able to limit expressive conduct in these locations, if at all?
*In what ways have social movements historically relied on public spaces to express their views or demand change?
*What kinds of public spaces has the Supreme Court treated differently, and why might those distinctions matter for free expression today?