Amy Coney Barrett forgets 'right to protest' as she fails to name five freedoms guaranteed by First Amendment

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Donald Trump’s nominee for the Supreme Court Amy Coney Barrett failed to name the five freedoms protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution when questioned during a confirmation hearing on Wednesday. When Republican senator Ben Sasse asked Barrett to name the five freedoms, she listed speech, press, religion, and assembly before looking puzzled and asking, “What else am I missing?” Mr Sasse, who also serves as a circuit judge for the US Court of Appeals, was forced to remind Ms Barrett of the fifth freedom – that is, the right “to protest or redress ”. The First Amendment ensures a number of basic rights for the people of America, by prohibiting governments from passing laws that can prevent US citizens from exercising freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and from having the ability to petition for a redress of grievances. As a Supreme Court nominee, Ms Barrett’s failure to remember the right to protest is relevant for a number of reasons, including the fact that the year 2020 has been marked by a series of major protests against racial inequality and police brutality.