What fundamental rights and liberties are guaranteed in the 1st and 14th Amendments?

1st Amendment Freedoms

• Religion—Government may not establish an official religion, nor endorse or interfere with the practice of any religion
• Speech—Individuals are free to express their opinions and beliefs.
• Press—The press has the right to gather and publish information, including that which criticizes the government.
• Assembly—Individuals may peacefully gather.
• Petition—Individuals have the right to make their views known to public officials.

Few rights, if any, are considered absolute. Some forms of expression are not protected, like libel and slander (printing or saying false and malicious information about someone), or certain publications of obscene or pornographic materials.

14th Amendment Protections

• The 14th Amendment extends due process protections to actions of the states - This means that state governments must follow the same rules as the federal government. The states must protect individuals against the unfair use of police power.  The 5th amendment says that the "federal government may not deprive citizens of life, liberty, or property without the due process of law". The 14th amendment extends this "due process" clause to the states.