The Right To Assemble

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.” 

We have assembled since there was more than one of us. As a family we assembled for meals. As tribes we assembled for directions to food and awareness of attack. The town crier would call out gatherings to announce births and deaths and whatever information the masses needed to know that the power’s that be had decided upon. After printing began and enough could read, we assembled around a wall to read the one sheet newspaper.

We assembled in town hall meetings, we assembled at local pubs, we assembled at places of worship and we assembled in schools. We assemble to watch sports and we assembled to fight enemies.

We assembled in unions and other causes that showed our support for others with the same views.

Assembly showed our strength in numbers.

Recently this right to assemble has been questions. The sanctuary of the church, a quiet place of refuge and prayer has been shattered. The school, which was an acknowledged safe shelter for children to learn and play, has been attacked by current culture.

Gatherings of faith or cultural events or just a fun filled day at the park with friends and neighbors for a wedding or a cook-out have now become targets for people who wish to do harm. Security can be beefed up but there is always a surprise weapon like a suicide bomb, a motor vehicle or a hidden gun.

Will we avoid assembly due to fear?