Does a Pandemic Change the Right to Assemble?

First Amendment - Rights, U.S. Constitution & Freedoms - HISTORY

The First Amendment of the United States Constitution states, “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.” This right that Americans have has been tested in the past, but what happens when there is a global pandemic?

"American Patriot Rally," in protest to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's Coronavirus pandemic polices, on the Michigan Capital steps and lawn in Lansing, Michigan on April 30, 2020.
In Michigan, there were people out front of the state capitol protesting the stay-at-home order that was put into place to protect the citizens of Michigan. Many states around the nation have struggled with these protests in fear that it will lead to the spread of the COVID-19 virus. As stated above, the people of America have the right to assemble and the individuals out front of the State Capitol were exercising that right. Their frustrations come from the closing of businesses and being told to stay at home. But now is when the moral thought process will come into play.
To be clear, I am not saying they should or should not be out front of the Capitol. I am asking the question of morality. There were people out protesting with face masks on out of respect of others; that is how the health officials would prefer individuals exercise that right. The Governor of Michigan also respects their freedom of speech but still encourages them to not be out in public without taking precautionary measures. These protests will continue to happen until there is a change in pace. With other states “opening up” there may be an increase of this type of assembly because individuals may become restless and want to go back to some form of “normalcy”. Only time will tell.
As long as these protests remain peaceful, the keyword is peaceful, then any American should be allowed to assemble to express his/her First Amendment right as written in the United States Constitution.





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