1) Describe how you understand the “Establishment Clause” and the related “Lemon Test”.

The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment prohibits the government from establishing an official religion or favoring one religion over others. It ensures the separation of church and state, protecting religious freedom by preventing government interference in religious practices. Including issues like prayer in schools and religious displays on public property. The Lemon Test is a legal standard that determines if a law or government action violates the Establishment Clause. It requires the action to have a secular purpose, to neither advance or inhibit religion, and to avoid extra affiliation with any relgious institutions. If any of these criteria are violated, the action is considered unconstitutional.

2) Is burning the US flag protected by the First Amendment? Explain by referring to the relevant court case discussed in the reading.

The burning of the U.S. flag is a controversial form of protest. In 1984, Gregory Lee Johnson was arrested for burning the flag. But the Supreme Court ruled in Texas v. Johnson (1989) that flag burning is a form of symbolic speech protected by the First Amendment. In response, Congress tried to pass laws banning flag desecration, but these were struck down as unconstitutional. Attempts to amend the Constitution to allow such laws have not been succesful. The Supreme Court’s decision emphasizes the importance of free expression, even when the act is controversial. So, while burning the flag may be seen as disrespectful, it’s legally protected as a form of protest under the First Amendment.

3) What does it mean when someone says “I’m taking the Fifth”?

When someone says, “I’m taking the Fifth,” they are invoking their right to remain silent under the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. This amendment protects people from being forced to testify against themselves in a criminal case, allowing them to refuse to answer questions that could incriminate them.

1)Describe how you understand the “Establishment Clause” and the related “Lemon Test”.

=The establishment clause is found in the first amendment of the U.S constitution which basically says government can not make laws respecting an establishment of religion. The lemon test is a test used to determine if a law violates the establishment clause for example, the law must have a non religious purpose, it does not inhibit religion and so on, basically the lemon test makes sure the establishment clause is not violated

2) Is burning the US flag protected by the First Amendment? Explain by referring to the relevant court case discussed in the reading.

= Yes it is protected by the first amendment which guarantees freedom of speech, this was established by Gregory Lee Johnson case who burned an american flag as a form of protest. He was arrested back then because it was considered an offense but the supreme court ruled in his favor, they said that flag burning is a form of “symbolic speech” so it is protected by the first amendment

3) What does it mean when someone says “I’m taking the Fifth

= It means that a person can refuse to answer questions because their words can be used as evidence of a crime against them, it is just one way to protect oneself legally

1. Describe your interpretation of the “Establishment Clause” alongside its associated “Lemon Test.” The Establishment Clause within the First Amendment prohibits Congress from making any laws that establish religious preference. The government must remain impartial toward religion because it cannot back any religious practices nor show preference for religious beliefs over non-religious beliefs. The Establishment Clause exists to maintain separation between religious institutions and public government operations. The Supreme Court established the Lemon Test through its Lemon v. Kurtzman decision in 1971. The Court uses this three-part test to determine whether a law breaks the Establishment Clause requirements:

A law requires a secular goal as its main objective.

The law neither supports nor restricts religious activities.

The government must avoid creating excessive religious involvement through its programs.

A law becomes unconstitutional under the Establishment Clause whenever it fails to meet any of these requirements.

2. The First Amendment protects flag burning as free speech according to the relevant court case presented in the reading.

Burning the U.S. flag enjoys First Amendment protection as free speech. The Supreme Court established this precedent through their Texas v. Johnson decision in 1989. The American flag underwent a burning process during a political demonstration by Gregory Lee Johnson. The Court sided with him after he faced arrest under a Texas law that prohibited flag desecration.

The court’s majority decision established that flag burning serves as a form of expressive conduct and political speech which enjoys fundamental protection under the First Amendment. Free speech protection exists even though certain expressions might offend others or gain little popular support.

3. What does it mean when someone says “I’m taking the Fifth”?

A person who states “I’m taking the Fifth” exercises their Fifth Amendment privilege to avoid self-incrimination. A person who invokes this right will not respond to questions because their statements could potentially become evidence against them in court proceedings.

The legal protection prevents individuals from testifying or offering evidence which could result in their own conviction. The protection extends to all situations that involve trials as well as hearings and congressional investigations.

The Establishment Clause is part of the First Amendment, and it means the government cannot create or support an official religion. It keeps church and state separate. The Lemon Test comes from a court case called Lemon v. Kurtzman. It’s used to check if a law breaks the Establishment Clause. A law must have a clear, non-religious purpose, must not help or hurt religion, and must not make the government too involved with religion. If it fails any part, it’s unconstitutional.

Burning the US flag is protected by the First Amendment as a form of free speech. This was decided in the case Texas v. Johnson (1989). The Supreme Court ruled that even though many people find flag burning offensive, it’s still a form of political expression, and the government can’t punish someone just because their message is unpopular.

When someone says “I’m taking the Fifth,” they are using their Fifth Amendment right to remain silent so they don’t have to say something that could get them in trouble. This is the right against self-incrimination. It means they don’t have to answer questions in court or during police questioning if it could be used against them.

1. Describe how you understand the “Establishment Clause” and the related “Lemon Test”.
2. Is burning the US flag protected by the First Amendment? Explain by referring to the relevant court case discussed in the reading.
3. What does it mean when someone says “I’m taking the Fifth”?

In a federal system, power is shared between national and state governments, and citizens participate in both. In a confederation, states have most power, and citizens engage mainly with state governments. In a unitary system, the national government holds all authority, and citizens have little direct influence on local decisions.

The division of power refers to how authority is split between different levels of government. The U.S. federal system divides power between the national and state governments, with some exclusive federal powers (like defense), some shared (like taxation), and some reserved for states (like education).

During COVID-19, the federal government influenced New York by providing funding (CARES Act, stimulus packages), issuing health guidelines (CDC mask mandates, distancing rules), supporting emergency response (National Guard assistance), and negotiating policies with state officials.