How has the Supreme Court interpreted the freedom of assembly clause of the US Constitution?

The freedom of assembly clause of the United States Constitution is found in the First Amendment and states that “Congress shall make no law…abridging the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” The Supreme Court of the United States has interpreted this clause to protect the right of individuals to peacefully come together for political or social expression. This includes New Yorkers protesting police brutality in 1964 and counter-protestors in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2017. In each of these cases, the Supreme Court ruled that the right to assemble peacefully was held as a fundamental right under the First Amendment and could not be restricted or abridged by the government. Additionally, the Supreme Court has held that the government must take reasonable steps to protect individuals who are peacefully assembling. For example, in a case decided in Louisiana, the court ruled that the Baton Rouge police were obligated to protect peaceful protesters from harassment by counter-protestors. In this case, the court held that the freedom of assembly clause was intended to encourage citizens to come together for political expression and the government must take reasonable steps to protect that right. Ultimately, the Supreme Court has made it clear that individuals have a right to assemble peacefully and that the government must take reasonable measures to protect that right. This interpretation of the freedom of assembly clause provides individuals with the ability to peacefully gather and express their grievances without fear of government interference.

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How has the Supreme Court interpreted the freedom of assembly clause of the US Constitution?

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