The amendment that allows people to keep their rights such as religion, speech, and press is the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. It protects several fundamental rights including freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the right to peaceably assemble, and the right to petition the government for redress of grievances. It prevents Congress from making laws that establish a religion, prohibit the free exercise of religion, abridge the freedom of speech or of the press, or interfere with the rights to assemble and petition the government. These protections apply to the federal government and, through court rulings, also to state and local governments. This amendment is a core part of the Bill of Rights and was ratified on December 15, 1791.