Question

At the time the founders drafted the U.S. Constitution, they were greatly concerned about the government becoming tyrannical and infringing on individual liberties. Anti-federalists, who were primarily concerned about an abusive central government, demanded that a Bill of Rights--the first ten amendments--be added to the constitution before it was ratified. The intention was to protect specific rights of the American people from governmental overreach.

Review the Bill of Rights in the U.S. Constitution. If state or local governments actually attempted to enforce those shutdown and "shelter in place" mandates through criminal procedure, in what ways could it be considered a violation of Americans' constitutionally protected rights? Specifically, use the First and Fifth Amendment rights in your reasoning.

Answer 1