The First Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that Congress shall make no law abridging (curtailing) the right of the people to peaceably assemble. And the U.S. Supreme Court has determined that a right to freedom of association and belief is implicit in the First, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendments. But this right to freedom of assembly is limited to First Amendment purposes and does not include a right to assemble for social purposes or to engage in or promote illegal activities. And when there is a right of association, the government may not require the group to disclose the identity of its members, or deny government benefits on the basis of current or past membership in a group.
In Georgia, as in all states, the right to peaceably assemble is protected under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. This means that individuals and groups have the right to gather for peaceful protest and to express their views without interference from the government. The U.S. Supreme Court has also recognized a broader right to freedom of association and belief, which is derived from the First, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendments. This right allows individuals to form and join associations, including political parties and interest groups, without undue government intrusion. However, the right to assemble is not absolute and does not extend to gatherings with the intent of engaging in or promoting illegal activities. Additionally, while the government generally cannot force a group to disclose its members' identities or deny benefits based on group membership, there may be exceptions, particularly in cases involving national security or the prevention of criminal activities. It is important to note that specific regulations regarding the time, place, and manner of assemblies may be imposed by local ordinances, provided they are content-neutral and serve a significant government interest.