- Consists of ideas, facts, or opinions
- Is protected by the First Amendment
- Cannot be censored or restricted by the government
Symbolic speech
- Consists of actions or gestures that communicate a message
- Is protected by the First Amendment, but with some limitations
- Can be restricted by the government if it causes a substantial disruption of public order or if it is likely to incite violence
Here are some examples of pure and symbolic speech:
Pure speech:
- A person giving a speech about their political views
- A journalist writing an article about a controversial topic
- A blogger posting their thoughts on a particular issue
Symbolic speech:
- A person burning the American flag
- A group of people holding a silent protest
- A student wearing a t-shirt with a political slogan
In general, pure speech is given more protection by the First Amendment than symbolic speech. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, the government can restrict symbolic speech if it causes a substantial disruption of public order or if it is likely to incite violence.