Which constitutional amendment protects the right to peaceful assembly?

The First Amendment is the constitutional amendment that protects the right to peaceful assembly. This amendment guarantees several fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of speech, the press, religion, the right to petition the government, and the right to assemble peacefully.

The significance of this protection is rooted in its role in enabling citizens to gather for collective expression of views, to protest, or to advocate for changes in government policy. It reflects the foundational democratic principle that individuals should be able to come together and freely express their beliefs and concerns without fear of government interference, as long as their assembly is peaceful.

In contrast, the other amendments mentioned do not pertain to the right of assembly. The Second Amendment relates to the right to bear arms, the Eighth Amendment deals with protection against cruel and unusual punishment, and the Fifth Amendment emphasizes rights related to legal proceedings and due process. None of these directly address the right to assemble peacefully, reinforcing the importance of the First Amendment in safeguarding this fundamental civil liberty.