In the United States Constitution the First Amendment guarantees citizens the right to free speech. This is a key factor in how America was raised and the people who live in the United States today. It is an important right for them to have it and be able to use it. However, even though free speech is part of the Constitution, people today still have difficulty being able to exercise their right to free speech. There are obstacles preventing them from gaining their first amendment rights and people discriminating against their rights. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Freedom of speech is a necessary right for the people and government of the country to ensure stability, justice and equality. Today, however, this right is not acquired by everyone. Free speech is repressed by the government or legal authorities on multiple occasions. In some cases, the expression of citizen speech will result in a threat of prison. However, freedom of speech is not just about spoken words, but also about any expressive activity. It can only be limited in extreme situations and by going against other freedoms, such as protecting the community from harm or using false statements to harm someone. First Amendment rights are minimized by school officials who suppress their students' freedom of belief. and the government and police do not allow citizens to share with the press opinions that are not accepted by most. Even though citizens have the right to speak freely, they are threatened with prison time for sharing information about government programs. An example of suppressed free speech occurred at the University of Florida forum for Senator John Kerr in September 2007. A student named Andrew Meyer refused to leave the microphone and stop voicing his questions when asked was asked and this led to his arrest and taser. This incident highlights that even a small act of free speech can lead to drastic measures by the authorities. Another First Amendment free speech infringement occurred on July 4, 2004 during a rally for President Bush in the West Virginia state capital. However, in this case it wasn't about freedom of speech, but about the freedom to express one's opinion through clothing. Nicole and Jeffery Rank had worn T-shirts with anti-Bush slogans at the rally and refused to cover them up when officials told them to. The result of this was that they were handcuffed and taken out of the demonstration. The incident gave rise to a lawsuit which the government settled, but it emerged that during such events the government has the right to take such measures. This means that in the case of Ranks the government has the right to remove people from government events who express their freedom of speech. In some states the government is even regulating what citizens can wear. The loose-fitting style, trousers below the underwear line, originating in prisons, is banned in some cities and violators risk fines or even prison. In Delcambre Louisiana citizens who participate in this style will receive a $500 fine or 6 months in prison. Schools in Arkansas and Florida have also implemented dress codes that prohibit students from wearing baggy pants on school campuses. Numerous cases in the United States have violated citizens' First Amendment rights, even though it was established as part of the states constitution.