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New advertising campaign promotes the First Amendment

FILE - In this Feb. 13, 2016, file photo, people stand on the steps of the Supreme Court at sunset in Washington. Conservative groups are wasting little time in trying to deal a crippling blow to labor unions now that Justice Neil Gorsuch has joined the Supreme Court. A First Amendment clash over public sector unions left the justices deadlocked last year after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. But union opponents have quickly steered a new case through federal courts in Illinois and they plan to appeal it to the high court on Tuesday, June 6, 2017. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick, file)
FILE - In this Feb. 13, 2016, file photo, people stand on the steps of the Supreme Court at sunset in Washington. Conservative groups are wasting little time in trying to deal a crippling blow to labor unions now that Justice Neil Gorsuch has joined the Supreme Court. A First Amendment clash over public sector unions left the justices deadlocked last year after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. But union opponents have quickly steered a new case through federal courts in Illinois and they plan to appeal it to the high court on Tuesday, June 6, 2017. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick, file) FILE - In this Feb. 13, 2016, file photo, people stand on the steps of the Supreme Court at sunset in Washington. Conservative groups are wasting little time in trying to deal a crippling blow to labor unions now that Justice Neil Gorsuch has joined the Supreme Court. A First Amendment clash over public sector unions left the justices deadlocked last year after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. But union opponents have quickly steered a new case through federal courts in Illinois and they plan to appeal it to the high court on Tuesday, June 6, 2017. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick, file)

By Associated Press 1 min read

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A third of Americans cannot name even one of the five freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment, according to Ken Paulson.

The director of the Free Speech Center at Middle Tennessee State University aims to change that with a new advertising campaign.

No one has ever “effectively marketed the First Amendment,” Paulson said. “Only 10% recognize the freedom of assembly. In the last few weeks, that’s been so important.”

The new ads feature artists, authors and athletes discussing the freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment – free speech, a free press, religious freedom, the freedom to peaceably assemble and the freedom to petition the government. The ads are being distributed by newspapers and media organizations around the country. They direct the public to the 1 for All website, where they can learn more about how to protect their freedoms.

The campaign is kicking off with Nashville-based figures like musicians Loretta Lynn and Kane Brown, Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton and bestselling author Ann Patchett. More artists, athletes and entertainers will be added over time. The campaign is slated to continue indefinitely, Paulson said.