Knox Hosts Constitution Day Lecture on the First Amendement

The First Amendment of the United States Constitution protects five fundamental rights from government interference. Those rights are freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the right to peaceably assemble, and the right to petition the government.

Of all those freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, the right to assemble may be the greatest, but also one of the most forgotten, according to the Sally D. Danforth Distinguished Professor of Law and Religion at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, John Inazu, who was the guest speaker at Knox College’s annual Constitution Day. 

Inazu’s lecture, Revisiting the Right to Assembly, highlighted the right’s importance and how it differs from other rights protected by the First Amendment. The lecture was made possible by the Lane Sunderland Endowed Fund for Pre-Law and Policy.

The lecture took place as part of Knox College’s Constitution Day. Constitution Day commemorates the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787. As part of the celebration, Knox College holds annual events giving students greater knowledge and appreciation of the Constitution. 

“Assembly is the only First Amendment right that cannot be exercised on its own,” he said. “You can speak by yourself, you can publish something yourself, you can worship or pray alone, and you can petition the government by yourself, but you cannot assemble alone.”

Using examples from the past and present, along with blending law and morality, Inazu painted a picture of one of America’s most fundamental rights and what comes with partaking in that right.

“Sometimes the act of gathering is an act of courage in itself,” Inazu said, recognizing that those who wish to engage in peaceful assembly can be targeted for their beliefs.

After the lecture, Inazu joined a Q&A session with Knox College students, faculty, staff, and Galesburg community members. Questions ranged from personal beliefs and experiences to the value of empathy for those with differing views. Inazu also emphasized the importance of patience in creating change.

“Protest can be really good to express a moment, but it can burn fast and hot,” he said. “If you really care about social changes, give me the five-year plan, the 10-year plan. In many cases, the work you’re fighting for might be work you don’t get the benefits of. But if you really care about an issue, buckle up and start working for it, and that’s true in society as well.”

This was not Inazu’s first visit to Knox. Last October, he spoke at the inaugural Etz Family Institute for Civic Leadership and Dialogue event, Learning to Disagree Across the Culture Wars, with John Corvino, Dean of the Irvin D. Reid Honors College at Wayne State University. His book, Learning to Disagree: The Surprising Path to Navigating Differences with Empathy and Respect, serves as this year’s First-Year Preceptorial reading.

Published on September 27, 2025

- Scott Holland, Knox College Office of Communications