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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.
Note:
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This means that wealthy
special interests groups have the
right to make their positions known to the Government.
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However, the Supreme
Court (Minnesota
Bd. For Community Colleges v Knight, 465 U.S. 271 1984) has explained
that "Nothing in the First Amendment
or in this Court's case law interpreting it suggests that the rights to
speak, associate, and petition
require government policymakers to listen or respond to individuals'
communications on public issues."
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