Throughout the month of April, the Department of Communications is recognizing the rights granted to all American citizens in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

To kick off the month’s events, a Liberty Tree was planted Thursday, March 24 in front of the Communications Building to symbolize the freedoms in the First Amendment. Dr. Gregory Pitts, department chair of the Department of Communications, opened the ceremony.

“This is the first step toward the recognition of the month of April as our First Amendment month,” Pitts said. He said that Americans take these five freedoms stated in the amendment for granted and that it is surprising to find anyone who can name all five.

During April, all communications professors will hand out cards with the First Amendment written on them to every student enrolled in a communications class.

“Whether you are a communications major or not, this card gives you distinct rights,” Pitts said. “Know these 45 words.”

UNA President Dr. William Cale echoed Pitts’ enthusiasm for the events taking place during April and the awareness this initiative hopes to bring to campus.

“These freedoms are the most treasured freedoms this country enjoys,” Cale said. Cale complimented Pitts and the Department of Communications on their work to put this initiative together.

Ege Olgun, a UNA student from Turkey who is studying public relations, organized the ceremony as a project for his PR campaigns class.

“Even though we have similar freedoms in Turkey, it is very important,” Olgun said. “I definitely can see the importance of the First Amendment for the United States.”

The First Amendment Month is a project of the Department of Communications, but it is for the entire campus. Pitts said that the simple fact that one can enroll in school and give a speech in speech class is exercising First Amendment rights.

Pitts said that the purpose of setting aside a month to recognize the freedoms we have been granted is to educate students on their rights and how to exercise them.

The average UNA student surveyed only knew two of the five freedoms granted in the First Amendment. The five freedoms are freedom of religion, press, speech, assembly and petition.

A map that is color-coded to show countries that are free, partly free and not free is displayed in the Communications Building. Pitts said that the map contains many more partly or not free countries than free countries.

Also displayed in the communications building is a copy of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Pitts said that these documents will be displayed year-round, not just during First Amendment Month. Artwork made by children in grades 3-8 depicting “What Freedom Means to Me” will also be displayed in the Communications Building throughout the month of April.

First Amendment Month activities will conclude with a celebration of World Press Freedom Day May 3. This event will commemorate the day the United Nations set aside to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press and remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression.