The First Amendment of the United States Constitution protects several fundamental rights from government interference. The amendment states that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting its free exercise. It also protects freedom of speech, the press, assembly, and the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

The following are some examples of what the First Amendment protects:

• Freedom of speech: This includes the right to express oneself, even if the views expressed are unpopular or offensive. The Supreme Court has decided that certain types of speech are entitled to First Amendment protections, such as political speech, symbolic speech, and commercial speech.

• Freedom of religion: The First Amendment protects the right to practice any religion or no religion at all. The government cannot establish a national religion or interfere with the free exercise of religion.

• Freedom of the press: This includes the right to publish and distribute information and ideas without government censorship or punishment.

• Freedom of assembly: This includes the right to gather with others to express views or to protest peacefully.

• Right to petition the government for a redress of grievances: This includes the right to make complaints or requests to the government without fear of punishment.

It is important to note that the First Amendment does not protect all types of speech. For example, speech that incites violence or poses a clear and present danger to others is not protected.