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First Amendment

closeup of the words We the People and 1st Amendment

The freedoms of the First Amendment — speech, press, petition, assembly, religion — represent the foundation of our democracy. We the people are not able to govern ourselves without the ability to know what is happening in our society. That is why the press is the only profession explicitly named and protected by the Constitution.

Promoting an understanding and appreciation of the First Amendment and the role of journalism and communication in all societies is one of the core principles of the Greenlee School’s mission statement. 

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.

Bill of Rights, Dec. 15, 1791

First Amendment Days

students in front of a mosaic at First Amendment Days

Iowa State University’s First Amendment Series was created by the Greenlee School in fall 2018 in recognition of the growing number of events, lectures and activities on campus focused on First Amendment education and awareness. What started as a single day in 2003 dedicated to celebrating the five freedoms of the First Amendment has expanded into First Amendment Days—a weeklong signature celebration hosted by the school every April—and a lineup of First Amendment activities scheduled throughout the academic year.

Why do we do this? One-third of Americans cannot name a single one of the five freedoms of the First Amendment and, even more concerning, almost one-third think the First Amendment “goes too far” in the freedom it protects, according to the Freedom Forum Institute’s 2019 State of the First Amendment Survey. Our creative and diverse First Amendment programming is an effective way to increase education and understanding about the five freedoms.

Recent First Amendment Days events

  • 4.21.16_FAD2016_026

    First Amendment Days 2024

    Celebrate with us! First Amendment Days 2024, April 15-19, with in-person and virtual celebrations of the First Amendment.

    Now in its 22nd year, First Amendment Days is the longest-running continual student-led First Amendment celebration at any university in the U.S.

  • digital-sign-4:3:23

    First Amendment Days 2023

    First Amendment Days 2023 was celebrated April 10-14, 2023.

  • 2022 – “Dare to Speak. Dare to Listen”
  • 2021 – “Some Assembly Required”
  • 2020 – Celebrated on social media due to COVID-19
  • 2019 – “Express Yourself”
  • 2018 – “Talk Is Cheap. Free Speech Isn’t.”
  • 2017  – “Be Heard”
    • Keynote: Glenn Smith, “Shining a Light in Darkness: The Vital Role of the First Amendment in Community Journalism”
    • Events: Freedom Sings, Depth and Dialogue sessions, Democalypse March, Feast on the First
  • 2016 
    • Keynote: Steve Thomma, “The Press, the Presidency and the Campaign”
    • Events: Feast on the First, Democalypse March
  • 2015
    • Keynote: Gene Policinksi, “The First Amendment in the 21st Century”
    • Events: Feast on the First, Caucus Cup Debate
  • 2014 
    • Keynote: Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Civil Rights Pioneer: Iowa’s History of Advancing Justice for All Iowans
    • Events: Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins, Government Spying: Threats to Privacy and Your Rights Online
  • 2013 
    • Keynote: Frank LoMonte, executive director of the Student Press Law Center
    • Events: Caucus Cup Debate, Poetry Slam, Freedom of Art Panel
  • 2012 
    • Keynote: Ken Paulson, “Re-booting America: News for a New Generation”
    • Events: Caucus Cup, Poetry Slam, Freedom Sings, Freedom March, Greenlee Orientation, Feast on the First, Occupy 101: a Beginners Guide to Protests
  • 2011 
    • Keynote: Frank LoMonte, executive director of the Student Press Law Center
    • Events: Caucus Cup Debate, Poetry Slam, ArtWalk, Depth and Dialogue Sessions
  • 2010 
    • Keynote: Joe Mahr, Chicago Tribune investigative reporter, Pulitzer Prize winner
    • Events: Poetry Slam, Panelist Sessions, Depth and Dialogue Sessions
  • 2009 
    • Keynote: Odell McGhee, Polk Country District Judge
    • Events: Freedom March, Depth and Dialogue Sessions
  • 2008 
    • Keynote: David Satter, “Russia after the Presidential Elections: Is There Hope for Democracy?”
    • Events: Discussion titled, “Post Traumatic ‘Press’ Syndrome and the State of the Media,” Freedom March, Feast on the First, “The First Amendment in a Post-9/11 World”
  • 2007
    • Keynote: Helen Thomas, Former White House Bureau Chief, now a columnist for Hearst
    • Events: The Five Freedoms March, Depth and Dialogue Sessions, Speaking Freely: The Future of Talk, Satire and the First Amendment
  • 2006
    • Keynote: Bill Israel, “Stealing Reality: The Rise of the Right, the Fracture of News and Lessons Learned from Karl Rove”
    • Reza Aslan, “Political Cartoons, Cultural Sensitivity and the First Amendment”
    • Events: Freedoms March, Feast on the First, Creating Creative First Amendment Events
  • 2005
    • Keynote: Gene Policinski, Judith Krug, Michael Kent Curtis, “The First Amendment: Past, Present, and Future”
    • Events: Freedom of Expression in an Age of Fear, Guinness Book of World Records, Losing Faith In Faith: From Preacher to Atheist, A Religious Feast on the First Amendment, 100 years of Journalism Serving Iowa & the World, Petition- The Forgotten Freedom, Feast on the First
  • 2004
    • Keynote: Terry Anderson, Ann Cooper, Larry Heinzerling, “Attacks on the Press – Not Just Abroad”
    • Events: Feast on the First
  • 2003 – “Freedom Sings”
    • Events: Performance by Freedom Sings, Feast on the First

First Amendment Committee

The First Amendment Committee is made up of faculty and staff of the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication, Iowa State Daily Media Group staff, and Iowa State students. Committee members are appointed by the Greenlee School director or serve as volunteers. Membership consists of a diverse group – from the original creator of First Amendment Days to freshman students who are experiencing the event for the first time.

If you’re interested in volunteering on the committee, contact Gary Sawyer, First Amendment committee chair.