Difference between revisions of "Sedition Act"
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(conservatives support sedition laws) |
(We do? Anyway, I think we should mention how they can be so used. If you want to reword it, be my guest, but please don't delete it.) |
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| − | A "Sedition Act" is a law that criminalizes activity seen by | + | A "Sedition Act" is a law that criminalizes activity seen by the government as subversive ([[sedition]]). Thomas Jefferson called such acts "expressly and positively forbidden" by the [[First Amendment]] to the [[United States Constitution]]. These acts can be an early sign of governmental tyranny, because they prevent people from protesting against what the government does. |
| − | In the [[United States]], there have been two Sedition Acts. | + | In the [[United States]], there have been two Sedition Acts, neither of which is currently in force. |
*[[Sedition Act of 1798]] | *[[Sedition Act of 1798]] | ||
*[[Sedition Act of 1918]] | *[[Sedition Act of 1918]] | ||
Revision as of 16:38, November 14, 2009
A "Sedition Act" is a law that criminalizes activity seen by the government as subversive (sedition). Thomas Jefferson called such acts "expressly and positively forbidden" by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. These acts can be an early sign of governmental tyranny, because they prevent people from protesting against what the government does.
In the United States, there have been two Sedition Acts, neither of which is currently in force.