First Amendment

[Der Beobachter]

Question:

Does a volunteer fire department(s) have the powers to take your rights under the first amendment when you join that department?

For those who might have forgotten what the FIRST AMENDMENT 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"

The last time I looked, the by-laws did not say anything about giving up my rights as stated under the consitution. So why would a department act in such a way, that would take away this right. Understanding ones by-laws is one thing, interpeting them is another, but denying one's constitutional rights is another thing. What would one be afraid of by making motions to take away one civil liberities?

[Signal10]

You'll need to be a little more specific, which rights they are trying to abridge. When you join a Dept. there are rules, they can tell you that you are not allowed to opin about certain things that might negatively affect the operation of the dept....

or stuff like that. Just like a Federal Employee can not conduct or participate in certain political activities.

Please tell us your situation and we will respond....


Thanks

[Signal10]

Ohh, and powers, no they do not have the power to do that, you can always ignore them and run the risk or getting dismissed from the Dept...... or suspended, whatever.

[theshark]

Volunteer Fire department(s) are private corporations. They can make any rule or requirement's of membership. Congress is not denying you your First Amendment right.

[regs1]

Signal10 is correct, you have to be a little more forthcoming:

Free speech is a right, you could go down to any corner , get on a soap box, and tell your opinion on just about anything.
But!!
you do not have the right to go into a movie theater and shout "fire"

1st admendment, cover a lot, but a lot is also not covered.

If you believe in your rights being violated seek out an attorney who specializes in this area.

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[zhikim528]

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