The definition of right of assembly
'Freedom of assembly' is the freedom to unite temporally under a common cause of the majority. 'Freedom of association' is the freedom for the majority to organize continuous party for a common cause.
The case of assembly...
United States v. Cruikshank (1876)
The Supreme Court said that the "right of the people peaceably to assemble for the purpose of petitioning Congress for a redress of grievances, or for any thing else connected with the powers and duties of the national government, is an attribute of national citizenship, and, as such, under the protection of, and guaranteed by, the United States." The high court applied the liberty only to any federal government's encroachment.
De Jonge v. Oregon (1937)
De Jonge was convicted for conducting a public meeting under the auspices of the Communist Party. De Jonge had not advocated any illegal activity or criminal doctrine. The U.S. Supreme Court reversed his conviction as unnecessarily restrictive of his freedom of speech and right of peaceable assembly. The high court's ruling applied the right of peaceable assembly and the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment. And put these rights on equal footing with freedom of speech and the press. "[P]eaceable assembly for lawful discussion cannot be made a crime. The holding of meetings for peaceable political action cannot be proscribed."
Hague v. C.I.O. (1939)
The high court ruled that peaceful demonstrators may not be prosecuted for "disorderly conduct." This case also secured streets and sidewalks as public forums.
Thornhill v. Alabama (1940)
Cox v. New Hampshire (1941)
Edwards v. South Carolina (1963)
Cox v. Louisiana (1965)
Amalgamated Food Employee's Union v. Logan Valley Plaza (1968)
Shuttlesworth v. Birmingham (1969)
Bachellor v. Maryland (1970)
Flower v. United States (1972)
Central Hardware Co. v. NLRB (1972)
Lloyd Corp. v. Tanner (1972)
Police Department of Chicago v. Mosely (1972)
Grayned v. Rockford (1972)
The main function of assembly
This right of assembly is protect our debate and publicize right against at least during the assembly is in session. Such assembly right is very important to our society, because union's power is more effective than individual's one.
Limitation
The Constitution guarantees your right to assemble or meet peacefully and without weapons. This right is limited by legislation to protect public order and morality. The law prevents or controls meetings that are calculated or designed to cause a riot or breach of the peace.
There are other limitations on your freedom of assembly. You cannot meet on private property without the consent of the owner - that is trespass. Parades and processions are not illegal but it is a public nuisance to obstruct a highway. You may not hold a procession or meeting within one-half mile of the Oireachtas when it has been prohibited by the Gardai and you have been asked to disperse.
