The First Amendment : Freedom of Assembly

Source: "Hispanic Day Laborers Sue Freehold, Claiming Right to Gather to Seek Work"

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/31/nyregion/hispanic-day-laborers-sue-freehold-claiming-right-to-gather-to-seek-work.html?scp=3&sq=Hispanic%20Day%20Laborers&st=cse

Constitution Connection:

Amendment 1: "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."

Analysis of the Connection:

The history of where "The Freedom of Assembly" derived from is not as widely documented (in detail) as "The Freedom of Speech." However, there are many documentations of cases surrounding the topic.

In 1876, the right of assembly was first tested by the Supreme Court. It was a case of the United States vs. Cruikshank. The defendant was accused of violating the Enforcement Act of 1870, which forbid any act to "intimidate any other person from freely exercising and enjoying any right or privilege granted or secured by the Constitution of the United Sates."

The defendant's charges were ultimately realised when the court declared, "The right of the people to peaceably assemble..."

In the article, "Hispanic Day Laborers Sue Freehold, Claiming Right to Gather to Seek Work," a group of Hispanic Laborers decided to come together, take charge and sue the Federal District Court in Freehold, New Jersey. The laborers felt as though the Court was restraining their First Amendment rights by preventing them from gathering in a vacant lot to solicit work. The working opportunities presented by the local church was also quickly shut down by Freehold officials because they didn't want an "open-air job market" moved into the church.
Read more at Suite101: Understanding Freedom of Assembly: A Look at the First Amendment Right to Gather Freely http://www.suite101.com/content/understanding-freedom-of-assembly-a66325#ixzz0xTkGCyMP

I respect the Hispanic day laborers for standing up for themselves and coming together. I strongly believe that the Freehold officials definitely violated the citizens First Amendment rights by preventing them from gathering at a vacant parking lot. The constitution clearly states "right of the people peaceably to assemble," and they union was for a positive cause. The Federal District Court definitely should be sued.