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Freedom of Speech In the United States of America the First Amendment of the Constitution prohibits the Federal, State, and Local governments from depriving citizens the freedom of speech (Klotter 44). Freedom of speech not only includes verbal communication but also consists of public acts such as pickets, protest demonstrations, parades, and artistic expression (Klotter 44). Although the First Amendment guarantees the freedom of speech the right to speak is not absolute and has particular limitations (Klotter 44). Legislatures are free to enact laws regulating conduct associated with speech because the First Amendment protects the message but not all forms of conduct that is used to carry out the communication (Klotter 48). In the court case United States v. O’Brien, the Supreme Court established that police officers might enforce general laws of the community that are important to the community interest and does not relate to supporting the speakers message (Klotter 49). General community laws that may be enforced by police officers in regards to freedom of speech include trespass, traffic violation, noise violation, disorderly conduct, etc (Klotter 49).