Introduction:​​

 

         It is serious. I’ve seen it in schools, churches, and even in my own household. Why do we stay silent? Why do we let them control us? Don’t we want freedom? The control they have over us is not right. It undermines our fundamental liberties.

 

Analysis:

 

         Our most essential freedom is speech, protected by the First Amendment: “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” (U.S. Const. amend 1).  The U.S. Supreme Court has long protected our right to gather and worship freely without unwarranted government interference, as well as the right to express our thoughts and opinions in public spaces. These are the constitutional rights that define the United States of America.​​​​​

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         Yet we have seen these rights tested. In 2020, at the height of the COVID‑19 pandemic, U.S. officials, including members of the White House and public‑health agencies, communicated with social media platforms such as YouTube, X, Facebook, and Instagram about moderating COVID‑19 content. Some First Amendment scholars and civil‑liberties advocates argue that this amounted to pressure to suppress certain viewpoints, including those of Dr. Jay Bhattacharya and Dr. Martin Kulldorff. In Murthy v. Missouri (2024), the U.S. Supreme Court reviewed allegations that federal officials had urged social‑media platforms to restrict COVID‑19–related content, illustrating broader concerns about government influence over online speech. These scientists — from Oxford, Harvard, and Stanford — authored the Great Barrington Declaration, which proposed reopening businesses and allowing low‑risk individuals to return to normal life. The Declaration also highlighted the collateral damage of lockdowns, including worsening mental health and reduced cancer screenings.

 

         Additionally, YouTube ultimately removed four episodes of The Steve Deace Show between 2020 and 2021 over COVID‑19 policies. These removals show how easily platform rules can align with government pressure, making it difficult to tell where independent moderation ends and outside influence begins. Later, in February 2026, sixteen state Attorneys General questioned Alphabet and YouTube, and Alphabet acknowledged communications with government officials about content moderation, raising concerns about potential government overreach.

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         Religious freedoms are also being challenged. For decades, houses of worship have been treated as sensitive locations where government enforcement actions are limited to avoid discouraging people from practicing their faith. Yet, according to CBS News Los Angeles, on January 29, 2026, Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Carlos Chavez‑Guzman—a taco vendor and member of the North Hills United Methodist Church—in the church parking lot during a community food distribution. When enforcement actions occur in or around sacred spaces, they create fear and uncertainty, causing many to question whether places of worship remain safe for gathering and religious practice.

 

         The erosion of constitutional rights does not happen overnight; it is a slow process of actions taken by government agencies or private companies that can undermine freedom of speech and religion. While the government can and should legally silence voices that use violence, harass others, or incite imminent lawless action, expressing unpopular political or religious opinions should never be penalized. Some commentators warn that when government agencies commit wrongdoing—especially if it violates constitutional rights—they may try to prevent evidence from becoming public by labeling criticism as “disinformation.”

 

Conclusion:

 

         As a high school student, I am deeply concerned about the future of my generation. We are suffering as a nation, but we can start the change we want to see. We recently had a “No Kings” protest in my local area, which is a perfect example of people peacefully assembling for their freedom of speech and religious liberty without any violence. We may not have absolute control over the government, but we have a voice, and we make up society. If we do not stand up for what is right, we will continue to suffer. 

 

Fight for our rights.

Bibliography:​

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Massive government censorship during and about covid. (n.d.-f). https://www.congress.gov/119/meeting/house/118565/documents/HHRG-119-JU00-20250903-SD034-U34.pdf

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Censorship and suppression of covid-19 Heterodoxy - PMC. (n.d.-b). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9628345/

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Methodist Church in Los Angeles says ice arrested member during a food distribution event - CBS Los Angeles. (n.d.-i). https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/methodist-church-in-los-angeles-says-ice-arrested-member-during-a-food-distribution-event/

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Sixteen attorneys general demand answers - first liberty. (n.d.-l). https://firstliberty.org/media/deace/

 

Sent via Electronic Mail mr. Kent Walker chief legal officer Alphabet Inc.. (n.d.-l). https://ago.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/Multistate%20Youtube%20Letter%20-%20FINAL.pdf

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23-411 murthy v. Missouri (06/26/2024). (n.d.-a). https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/23-411_3dq3.pdf

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