“If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.”
– George Washington
State legislators in Dover are looking to take away the most important freedoms in modern history; they want to end the freedoms of speech, assembly, and petitioning in Delaware.
The rights of free speech, assembly, and petition are the cornerstone principles of freedom. The founders of the United States of America understood this and made it the 1st Amendment protection in the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights.
And their words were very clear: “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.”
House Bill 187, the Delaware Gag Act, violates three aspects of the 1st Amendment and will pave the way to endless lawsuits against the First State. It abridges the freedom of speech, the right of the people to peaceably assemble, and the right of the people to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
It is also directly violates Sections 5 and 16 of our Delaware Constitution’s Article I Bill of Rights protections.
In Section 5: “The free communication of thoughts and opinions is one of the invaluable rights of man… and any citizen may freely speak, write and print on any subject, being responsible for the abuse of that liberty.”
In Section 16: “…yet the citizens have a right in an orderly manner to meet together, and to apply to persons intrusted with the powers of government, for redress of grievances or other proper purposes, by petition, remonstrance or address.”
These are the most important freedoms we have. We have an obligation as citizens to speak up and stop House Bill 187, the Delaware Gag Act.
Please sign this petition to let your state legislator know you will not stand for abuses against your right to speak, meet with others, and advocate for any cause you believe in.
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Whereas: I agree with Article I, Section 5 of the Delaware Constitution that “the free communication of thoughts and opinions is one of the invaluable rights of man;” and
Whereas: I value our natural and constitutionally protected rights to free speech, assembly, and to petition the government protected by the 1st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution; and
Whereas: Any infringement on these rights is a violation of the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights and Article I Sections 5 and 16 of the Delaware Constitution's Bill of Rights; and
Whereas: Any and all proposed registrations, reports, fees, schedules, fines or terms of imprisonment for exercising these rights are unlawful, unconstitutional infringements and of no authority by any government.
Therefore: I demand that state legislators vote to TABLE House Bill 187 and any similar legislation in any committee where it might be considered; and
Therefore: I demand that state legislators vote NO in any chamber where House Bill 187 and any similar legislation appears on the agenda; and
Therefore: I demand that House Bill 187 and all similar legislation be rescinded, revoked, and stricken from the 147th General Assembly; and
Therefore: I demand that no similar legislation ever be proposed in any future General Assembly in the State of Delaware attempting to limit, prohibit, or regulate the rights of free speech, assembly, and to petition the government.