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50 Essential Civil Rights Speeches

Activists, athletes, actors, and preachers with sometimes-fiery presentation skills are just a few of the people who’ve communicated the message of civil rights to the masses.

When many people think of civil rights, the path to equality for the Black community comes to mind, but oration is equally as instrumental to civil rights movements too, especially those striving to secure equality for women, those who are older, and members of the LBGTQ+ community.

Our partners at Stacker compiled a list of 50 essential civil rights speeches using resources including BlackPast , TED , American RadioWorks , the Obama Foundation , and various other media and educational sources.

Almost everyone knows the names and the works of Martin Luther King Jr ., Malcolm X, and Barack Obama. But did you know one presenter, in particular, centered intersectionality in her speech to include a telling test that illustrated how visibility for some can be almost nonexistent? Even another key player in the civil rights movement of the ’60s was sometimes silenced because he was Black and gay.

Being incendiary was natural for some of these speakers, while others toed the line between creating change and avoiding offending more conservative elements of the movement.

Some of these speeches date back five decades into the past, but several others were delivered following the groundbreaking events of 2020 — from Black Lives Matter rallies to the 2020 March on Washington — which featured powerful orators, ranging from activists to professionals with doctorates to even a grade-school student.

Keep reading to discover 50 essential civil rights speeches.

Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘The Montgomery Bus Boycott’

Four days after Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat in 1955, Martin Luther King Jr. addressed thousands of people who were part of the subsequent boycott of the bus system in Montgomery, Alabama. He talked about the longtime intimidation of Black bus riders, and the importance of continuing the protest.

Related: The best quotes from Martin Luther King Jr. that go beyond the clichés

Related: The best quotes from Rosa Parks

Malcolm X’s ‘White Liberals and Conservatives’

Malcolm X talked in 1963 about the power of the vote to change the race problem, noting that only 3 million “Negro integration-seekers” in the “Black bourgeoisie” vote, but 8 million don’t. He proposed that both white liberals and conservatives use civil rights “in this crooked game of power politics” to garner power.

Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘Letter from Birmingham Jail’

The civil rights leader penned this speech in 1963 while jailed for continuing to protest the mistreatment of Black people. Martin Luther King Jr. talked about the interconnectedness of humanity, reminding us that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere—we are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.”

Related: The best quotes from Martin Luther King Jr's daughter, Bernice King, about hope, justice, and love

John F. Kennedy’s 1963 address on civil rights

After National Guard assistance was required in 1963 to allow two Black students onto the University of Alabama campus, President John F. Kennedy reminded the nation that Americans of any color should be able to attend public schools, receive equal service, register to vote, and “enjoy the privileges of being American,” framing those rights as a moral issue. The stats he quoted to prove that this was not the case have changed over time, but many show that equality has not yet been achieved.

Related: The best John F. Kennedy quotes to leave you feeling inspired

John Lewis’ 1963 March on Washington speech

Before representing Georgia in Congress, John Lewis was chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), organizing with other civil rights leaders including Martin Luther King Jr. Lewis drafted his “March on Washington” speech in response to the Civil Rights Bill of 1963 , stating that “we cannot be patient” for jobs and freedom and that “we are tired. We are tired of being beaten by policemen. We are tired of seeing our people locked up in jail over and over again.”

Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘I Have a Dream’

The civil rights icon called for an end to racism in front of more than 250,000 people in 1963. Martin Luther King Jr. talked about the lack of progress at that time, but almost 60 years later, the police brutality decried in this speech still exists, visible in the deaths of unarmed Black citizens and the protests that followed —perhaps most demonstratively were the Black Lives Matter protests that ensued following the killings of George Floyd , Ahmaud Arbery , and Breonna Taylor in 2020.

Malcolm X’s ‘By Any Means Necessary’

The Nation of Islam activist spoke in 1964 about the creation of a Black nationalist party based on the successes of African brothers in gaining “more independence, more recognition, more respect as human beings.” His new Organization of African Unity would hasten the “complete independence of people of African descent … by any means necessary,” starting in Harlem.

Malcolm X’s ‘The Ballot or the Bullet’

Malcolm X continued his incendiary tone in 1964 with his “The Ballot or the Bullet” speech, in which he advocated for voting but doesn’t rule out more violent reactions. He noted that Black people are “fed up,” “disenchanted,” and “disillusioned,” creating an explosive environment.

Fannie Lou Hamer’s 1964 Democratic National Convention testimony

Former sharecropper and civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer talked in 1964 about traveling 26 miles to register to vote to become “first-class citizens,” being met by police, and ultimately being evicted for her efforts. In her speech, she asked, “Is this America, the land of the free and the home of the brave, where we have to sleep with our telephones off of the hook?”

Lorraine Hansberry’s ‘The Black Revolution and the White Backlash’

Not far off the mark from the commentary of Malcolm X, Lorraine Hansberry noted the “problem about white liberals,” who she asserted don’t understand the impatience of Black people who’ve been “kicked in the face so often.” Her 1964 speech also mentioned that the solution is to get them to “stop being a liberal and become an American radical.”

Joseph Jackson’s ‘The Vote is the Only Effective Weapon in the Civil Rights Struggle’

Baptist preacher Joseph Jackson talked about the interconnectedness of civil rights and voting rights in this 1964 speech. The conservative leader implored the Black community to “fight their battles in the polling booth,” but opposed the direct action taken by many other civil rights leaders of the time.

Bayard Rustin’s ‘Negro Revolution in 1965’

Bayard Rustin is relatively unknown in civil rights history, even though he was a major contributor to the movement, and acted as deputy director of the March on Washington.

In this 1964 speech , he said that “the Negro is forcing the American people into a revolutionary situation” focused on better education, housing, and job opportunities. Some wanted to silence Rustin because he was Black and gay.

James Baldwin’s ‘Pin Drop’

Writer and activist James Baldwin talked in 1965 about how it can seem to Black people that they “belong where white people have put you.”

He addressed how gentrification existed 55 years ago: “When someone says ‘Urban Renewal,’ that Negroes are simply going to be thrown out into the streets.”

He also warned how those who are excluded will rise up: “The people who are denied participation in [the American Dream], by their very presence, will wreck it.”

Related: The Best Quotes From James Baldwin

Lyndon B. Johnson’s ‘We Shall Overcome’

In 1965, following the atrocities of Bloody Sunday, President Lyndon B. Johnson called for voting and civil rights , stating, “Their cause must be our cause too.” Johnson had helped pass the Civil Rights Act the previous year, but he’d previously called a press conference to detract from testimony by Fannie Lou Hamer about voter suppression.

Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘Our God is Marching On’

After a four-day march from Selma to Montgomery in 1965, Martin Luther King Jr. spoke to the crowd, asking the question “How long will prejudice blind the visions of men?”—with the often-repeated answer, “Not long, because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” King hoped that racist brutality was coming to an end, but progress has continued to be spiked with beatings and deaths and new records in the number of hate groups .

Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘The Three Evils of Society’

Martin Luther King Jr. talked about the “triple evils” of war, poverty, and racism at the 1967 National Conference on New Politics in Chicago.

His thoughts on war talk about “guided missiles and misguided men,” while his insights on poverty and racism note that “capitalism was built on the exploitation and suffering of black slaves and continues to thrive on the exploitation of the poor both black and white, both here and abroad.”

Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘The Other America’

Equality for all was another of Martin Luther King Jr.’s rallying cries. In this 1967 speech, he recognized that some people live on a “lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity.”

Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘I’ve Been to the Mountaintop’

No collection of civil rights speeches would be complete without the hopeful presentation by Martin Luther King Jr. from the night before his assassination in 1968. Despite the roadblocks along the way, including the beatings and deaths of numerous people in the movement, the civil rights leader was still convinced that “we, as a people, will get to the promised land.”

Muhammad Ali’s ‘Wake Up and Apologize’

In a 1972 conversation with an Irish journalist, Muhammad Ali launched into a poetic assessment of what it’s like to face police brutality as a Black man. The GOAT noted, “Better far from all I see, to die fighting to be free, what more fitting end could be … let me die by being Black, better far that I should go, standing here against the foe is the sweeter death to know.”

Angela Davis’ ‘The Gates to Freedom’

Socialist and activist Angela Davis faced sexism while championing criminal justice reform and civil rights for the Black community, even being imprisoned as a result. After her trial, she gave this speech in 1972, suggesting that society “redirect that wealth … and channel it into food for the hungry , and to clothes for the needy; into schools, hospitals, housing, and all the material things that are necessary.” The ideas parallel current calls for reform.

Related: The Best Quotes About Hope, Optimism, and Cynicism

Related: The Best Quotes About Feeding the Hungry

Shirley Chisholm’s ‘The Black Woman in Contemporary America’

The first Black woman elected to Congress urged all Americans in 1974 to “Forget traditions! Forget conventionalisms! Forget what the world will say whether you're in your place or out of your place.” This mindset served her well when she put her name in the hat for president of the United States.

Jesse Jackson’s ‘Keep Hope Alive’

Two-time presidential candidate, activist, and organizer Jesse Jackson spoke to the Democratic National Convention in 1988 about finding common ground, decades before the divisiveness seen in recent years. “Progress will not come through boundless liberalism, nor static conservatism, but at the critical mass of mutual survival,” Jackson said.

John Lewis’ ‘You Cannot Tell People They Cannot Fall in Love’

The Georgia representative and civil rights organizer stepped up at the Defense of Marriage Act congressional debates in 1996 to tell the world, “You cannot tell people they cannot fall in love.” Lewis drew parallels between interracial and gay marriages in his reaction to the wording in the Act that defined marriage as a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife.

Henry Louis Gates Jr.’s ‘America Beyond the Color Line’

Harvard professor and intellectual Henry Louis Gates Jr. spoke to the Commonwealth Club of California in 2004 about traveling all over the country to talk to Black people about their experiences, especially with racial equality. His interviews took place everywhere, from “Ebony Towers” and “Black Hollywood” to the inner city and all-Black communities in the South.

Barack Obama’s 2004 Democratic National Convention speech

Before he was even elected as a senator, Barack Obama spoke at the Democratic National Convention in 2004 from the perspective of the child of parents who deemed him blessed to be in America. His speech considered the progress the country has made, but also how far we have to go.

Barack Obama’s ‘A More Perfect Union’

When former President Barack Obama was still a candidate in early 2008, he addressed America and its legacy of racism , talking about the original sin of slavery, and how the answer was already embedded in the Constitution “that promised its people liberty, and justice, and a union that could be and should be perfected over time.” Continuing, he talked about how protests “on the streets and in the courts” have moved us closer to a “more just, more equal, more free, more caring, and more prosperous America.”

Barack Obama’s 2009 Inaugural Address

When President Barack Obama was inaugurated in 2009, his speech recognized the diversity of the American people with respect to race, religion, and more. His speech held out hope “that the old hatreds shall someday pass” and “that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve.” The year 2020 has shown us we haven’t reached that goal yet, but Obama’s speech promised that one day we will.

Bryan Stevenson’s ‘We Need to Talk About an Injustice’

Bryan Stevenson is a human rights lawyer who founded the Equal Justice Institute and its Legacy Museum , which educates people about the direct path from slavery to mass incarceration. In this 2012 TED Talk, he talks about injustices and the impact of the death penalty in a world where 10% of those on death row are ultimately exonerated.

Related: The Best Quotes By Activists About Activism

Barack Obama’s 2013 Inaugural Address

President Barack Obama took the opportunity of his second inauguration in 2013 to draw parallels between Black and women’s rights, fought for in Selma and Seneca Falls, to the Stonewall riots that were pivotal for the gay rights movement. His commitment to that cause was showcased in his comment that “our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law,” setting the stage for arguments to declare the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional.

Related: The Best Quotes from Barack Obama

Vernā Myers’ ‘How to Overcome Our Biases? Walk Boldly Toward Them’

In her 2014 TEDx Talk , diversity consultant Vernā Myers advised , “Stop trying to be good people, we need real people. Don't even think about colorblindness.”

Yoruba Richen’s ‘What the Gay Rights Movement Learned From the Civil Rights Movement’

Filmmaker Yoruba Richen, who is a part of both the Black and LGBTQ+ community, spoke in this 2014 TED Talk about her frustration concerning the supposed conflict between the two worlds, but realized that there was really more intersection. She explored how the LGBTQ+ community successfully used strategies and tactics used by the Black community in their own civil rights efforts.

John Lewis’ speech on 50th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday

Fifty years after the Selma march that became known as Bloody Sunday because of the police abuse that almost killed him and other marchers, John Lewis returned to the Edmund Pettus Bridge in 2015. Lewis reminded everyone , “We must use this moment to recommit ourselves to do all we can to finish the work. There is still work left to be done. Get out there and push and pull until we redeem the soul of America.”

Related: Lessons We Can Learn From the World's Leading Activists

Jimmy Carter’s ‘Why I Believe the Mistreatment of Women is the Number One Human Rights Abuse’

Former President of the United States Jimmy Carter posited in this 2015 TEDWomen Talk that abuse of women and girls is the major human rights abuse of our time, resulting from various reasons, including misinterpretation of scriptures and “men [who] don't give a damn.” He also outlined in his talk a number of abuses that are commonplace across the world. His Carter Center is committed to protecting and advancing human rights .

You can read Jimmy Carter's most inspiring quotes about human rights and hope in our curated guide.

Julian Bond’s ‘Declaration: We Must Practice Dissent’

From the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee to the Southern Poverty Law Center and NAACP, Julian Bond has been a part of some of the major organizations of the civil rights movement. In his final speech in 2015, he continued to advocate for protest and dissent.

Barack Obama’s ‘Love is Love’

More than two years after advocating for marriage equality in his second inauguration, Barack Obama celebrated the downfall of part of the Defense of Marriage Act in 2015 with a speech in which he declared, “ Love is love.”

Jesse Williams’ 2016 BET Awards speech

Actor Jesse Williams’ speech at the 2016 BET Awards remembered the many Black people who were killed by police at the time, expressing, “We know that police somehow managed to deescalate, disarm, and not kill white people every day, so what’s gonna happen is we are gonna have equal rights and justice in our own country, or we will restructure their function and ours.” Mirroring the demands of other civil rights activists for action now, not later, he noted that “the hereafter is a hustle, we want it now.

Kimberlé Crenshaw’s ‘The Urgency of Intersectionality’

Kimberlé Crenshaw started her 2016 TEDWomen talk commemorating the names of people killed at the time by the hands of police, conducting an experiment that demonstrates that the women in that group are relatively unknown. Discrimination against Black women “feels like injustice squared,” asserted Crenshaw, who later invited the audience to use #SayHerName to bear witness to these women.

Related: Get to know these famous Black activists

Ashton Applewhite’s ‘Let’s End Ageism’

One type of discrimination that’s less considered in the civil rights realm is ageism. In this 2017 TED Talk , Ashton Applewhite called it the “last socially-acceptable prejudice.” Many fear getting old, even though the stats show that reality doesn’t match our fears. And prejudice of any type divides us. She implored us to get off the “hamster wheel of age denial.”

Daryl Davis’ ‘Why I, As a Black Man, Attend KKK Rallies’

Black musician Daryl Davis talked about the unusual evolution of a friendship between himself and a Ku Klux Klan Grand Dragon in his 2017 TEDx Talk. His takeaway from the experience: “Hate stems from fear of the unknown. Take the time to sit down and talk with your adversaries. You’ll learn something; they'll learn something.” Amid his friendship, Davis revealed the Grand Dragon actually left the Klan.

Oprah Winfrey’s 2018 Golden Globes speech

The #MeToo movement played a prominent part in Oprah Winfrey’s acceptance speech as she received the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 2018 Golden Globes. Winfrey gave gratitude to the women who survived abuse and assault because they had “children to feed and bills to pay and dreams to pursue.”

Melinda Epler’s ‘3 Ways to Be a Better Ally in the Workplace’

Civil rights efforts need the collaboration and contribution of allies. Oftentimes, it’s not an employee who is failing, but the culture, due to microaggressions and other barriers. In this 2018 TED Salon talk, Melinda Epler shared specific ways to support those facing discrimination.

Samy Nour Younes’ ‘A Short History of Trans People’s Long Fight for Equality’

This 2018 TED Talk about the centuries-old history of trans people noted that their existence is not new, and explored both the struggles and triumphs of the community. The topic was and still is a matter of urgency—more than 50 transgender and gender-nonconforming people , mostly Black and Latinx women, were killed in 2021 alone.

John Lewis’ ‘Good Trouble’

Returning in 2020 to the Edmund Pettus Bridge , where police abused him 55 years earlier on Bloody Sunday, Georgia Rep. John Lewis implored to the crowd: “Go out there, speak up, speak out. Get in the way. Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America.” Lewis himself had gotten into plenty of “good trouble” over the years, being arrested more than 40 times as the result of civil disobedience during his lifelong fight for civil rights.

Andre Williams’ 2020 police brutality speech

At a 2020 Black Lives Matter march, NFL star Andre Williams reminded others , “Guess what, in the morning we still wake up Black, and we cannot continue to allow the people to oppress the African American community.” He begged them to “be the voice for Black people.”

Barack Obama’s ‘Reimagining Policing in the Wake of Continued Police Violence’

In his speech in response to the wave of police violence in 2020, former President Barack Obama stated : “I’ve been hearing a little bit of chatter on the internet about voting versus protest, politics, and participation versus civil disobedience and direct action. This is not either/or, this is both/and, to bring about real change. Because they kept marching, America changed. We’ll get back up, that’s how movement happens, that's how history bends.”

John Boyega’s 2020 Black Lives Matter protest speech

British actor John Boyega spoke out at a 2020 Black Lives Matter protest in London, prefacing, “I don’t know if I’m going to have a career after this.” He talked about his own experience and those of others, adding, “Every Black person understands and realizes the first time you were reminded that you were Black. I need you to understand how painful it is to be reminded every day that your race means nothing.”

Playon Patrick’s ‘2020 Quarantine Killings’

Playon Patrick was part of the Obama Foundation Conversation with former President Barack Obama about reimagining policing in 2020. His spoken word performance talked about the experience of Black boys in this country. “We are early graves before we are anything else,” Patrick said. “Always conflicted between being Black and being people. I wish God could give us a choice.”

Yolanda Renee King’s 2020 March on Washington speech

The civil rights leader’s granddaughter, Yolanda Renee King, channeled MLK in this powerful speech at the 2020 March on Washington . She noted that “great challenges produce great leaders: We have mastered the selfie and TikToks, now we must master ourselves.” She proclaimed that her generation was going to be “the one that moves from me to we—we are going to be the generation that dismantles systemic racism once and for all.”

Ayanna Pressley’s 2020 March on Washington speech

Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley “let it play” at the 2020 March on Washington, reminding us, “Another world is possible. Yes, it is possible to legislate justice and accountability, people over profits, joy over trauma, freedom over fear. Yes, it is possible to write budgets that actually value Black lives. If it feels unfamiliar, that’s because it has never been done in America.”

Martin Luther King III’s 2020 March on Washington speech

The son of the civil rights icon spoke out at the 2020 March on Washington, in which he talked about America’s “rocky but righteous journey towards justice” and advocated for “demilitarizing the police, dismantling mass incarceration, and declaring that Black Lives Matter.” Voting was another focus of this speech, as King urged listeners to start “marching to the ballot boxes, and the mailboxes” to defend our freedoms.

This article was first published by Stacker . ( CC BY-NC 4.0 )

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6 Human Rights Speeches That Changed The World

Words are powerful things. Put in the hands of skilful orators they have the ability to inspire, heal and rally vast swathes of people. And what could be more worth rallying for than the inherent dignity and equal rights of ‘ all members of the human family’ (AKA, our human rights) ? 

These six speakers advocate for equality, freedom, and dignity. But above all, what connects them is their belief in the power of free speech, and that their own voice can make a difference – and they did.

• Hundreds of inspirational human rights quotes

1. Eleanor Roosevelt, The Struggle for Human Rights, 1948

Let’s start off with the first lady of human rights – Eleanor Roosevelt with her famous 1948 speech ‘The Struggle for Human Rights’

We must not be confused about what freedom is. Basic human rights are simple and easily understood: freedom of speech and a free press; freedom of religion and worship; freedom of assembly and the right of petition; the right of men to be secure in their homes and free from unreasonable search and seizure and from arbitrary arrest and punishment.

Check her out in action here:

2. Martin Luther King, I Have A Dream, 1963

Moving on to one of the most recognisable speeches of the 20 th Century – Martin Luther King Jnr in 1963 ‘I Have A Dream.’

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.

His delivery brings his words off the page:

3. Emmeline Pankhurst, Freedom or Death, 1913

Great speeches have a habit of connecting to times of strife. The struggle for women’s suffrage is littered with powerful speeches denouncing inequality – here is one of the most famous from Emmeline Pankhurst in 1913, ‘Freedom or Death,’

Human life for us is sacred, but we say if any life is to be sacrificed it shall be ours; we won’t do it ourselves, but we will put the enemy in the position where they will have to choose between giving us freedom or giving us death.

If you want to listen to it, check out this reading of it:

4. Harold Macmillan, The Wind of Change, 1960

Sometimes the location of a speech underlines its impact. Here Harold Macmillan is addressing the South African Parliament about racial discrimination and slavery in his 1960 ‘The Wind of Change’ speech.

The wind of change is blowing through this continent, and whether we like it or not, this growth of national consciousness is a political fact. We must all accept it as a fact, and our national policies must take account of it.

Check out Harold in full flow here:

5. Nelson Mandela, I Am Prepared To Die, 1964

Four years later in 1964 in the same country, Nelson Mandela was on trial on charges of sabotage and made the following speech from the dock:

During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.

Here is Mr Mandela using the court room as his megaphone:

6. Elie Wiesel, The Perils of Indifference

We’ll end with a personal favourite. Here is Elie Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor addressing President Clinton in 1999 talking about ‘The Perils of Indifference.’

Indifference elicits no response. Indifference is not a response. Indifference is not a beginning; it is an end. And, therefore, indifference is always the friend of the enemy, for it benefits the aggressor — never his victim, whose pain is magnified when he or she feels forgotten. The political prisoner in his cell, the hungry children, the homeless refugees — not to respond to their plight, not to relieve their solitude by offering them a spark of hope is to exile them from human memory. And in denying their humanity, we betray our own.

Watch the full 20 minutes here:

These are just a small selection of powerful speeches, which speeches would you put in your top ten?

• Check out our guest post on ‘Free Speech and Why it Matters’ 
• For more on freedom of expression and why it matters, read our Explainer here. 
• To read about why we should continue to fight for our freedoms, read RightsInfo’s director’s opinion post, ‘ Evil Progresses Cunningly ‘. 

Harold Macmillan image ©  Chetham’s Library , and Wikimedia used under Creative Commons  Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic Licence.

About the author.

Anna Dannreuther is a barrister at Field Court Chambers practising in public, employment, and commercial law. She is a trans ally and has worked extensively on human rights issues, including at the European Court of Human Rights and with NGO partners.

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• Speech on Human Rights

Human Rights Speech

Human Rights are the most basic rights which are bestowed on each and every individual. These human rights take up their action rights from the birth of these individuals till their death do them apart with their own rights. Every other human on this planet, irrespective of their caste, religion, creed, gender, nationality, social status or color are entitled to these rights. While their rights are being protected by respective country laws.

To demonstrate the rights and the freedoms of these human beings, a historical document known as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), was set up in the year of 1948. This was indeed the first international agreement on the basic principles of human rights.

Long Speech on Human Rights

Greetings and salutations to all the students and the respected teachers and staff members present,

Today the speech I am about to deliver is about the basic human rights that we deserve. At times, our rights are defined as mere privileges, but I would agree with this notion that our rights are described as to be something more than basic privileges. In simpler words, the entitlement of the fundamental rights which are conferred on every individual is called human rights.

We are born with these rights that are present until our death. All the humans surviving on this planet are entitled to these rights. These rights prove to be effective for each and all, irrespective of the fact of who they are or where they come from or how they choose to live. The reason why these rights are formed is to protect anyone who wants to harm or to violate someone. These human rights give people the freedom to live and to express themselves as to how they want to. Everyone deserves to be themselves and this is supported by human rights.

After the enormous loss of life, caused during World War II, the United Nations signed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in the year 1948 on the 10th of December, this was initiated to propose a common understanding for everyone’s rights. Even in the present times, the world is always being sculpted based on freedom, justice and peace which are the rights themselves.

Hence, the 10th of December is celebrated as International Human Rights Day which marks the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Human Rights Include – 

Right to life and liberty

Protection from torture

Fair trials 

Freedom of expression, religion, peaceful assembly

Human Rights are inclusive of many other rights, as we deepen our thoughts the circle will get bigger. Economic, social and cultural rights cover rights which are namely the right to education, housing and health facilities. All these available resources are required to be utilized by the government to achieve them. Treaties are formed to protect the rights of women, children, refugees, the LGBTQ+ society, minorities, the disabled and domestic workers.

All the various principles, declarations and guidelines have been adopted by the United Nations with these treaties to enhance the meaning of these few rights. The UN Human Rights Committee and the UN special rapporteurs are the international institutions that are responsible for interpreting these human rights treaties and monitoring the compliance.

This is the duty of the government who themselves implement international human rights. This is the duty of the government to protect and promote human rights by barring these violations by the officials or stand, also punishing offenders. Also, while creating ways for the citizen to seek help to breach their rights. This is itself a human right violation if a country fails to initiate any step against the private individuals who abuse domestic violence.

Human Rights are Classified as 

Natural rights

Legal rights

Social welfare rights

Ethnic rights

Positive and negative rights

Individual rights

Claim and liberty rights

2 Minutes Speech on Human Rights

Good morning to everyone,

The term human rights are defined as the right to live, liberty, equality and deliver respect for any human being. Our Constitution has a section that follows the Rights and the Fundamental Rights, that provides the people of the nation with their own fundamental rights.

The fundamental rights are the basic human rights of every single citizen of the country, irrespective of their caste, background, their religion, colour, status or their sex. Between the years 1957 to 1949, the sections were very vital elements that were added to the Constitution.

In India, there are six fundamental or human rights that are Right to Freedom, Right to equality, Right against exploitation, Right to Freedom of Religion, Culture and educational rights and Right to seek Constitutional Remedies.

Internationally on the violation of the international human rights or violation of the humanitarian laws or crimes against us, the humanity, the government of a country prosecute the individual, or this can be done by another country as well under the “universal jurisdiction”.

10 Lines on Human Rights Speech in English

There are almost 40 million children who suffer from abuse who should be covered with human rights.

Worldwide, more than 3,00,000 children under the age of 18 are also being exploited, this calls for human rights.

There are around 246 million child laborers worldwide, which is a violation of human rights.

Throughout our history, women have been restricted from exercising their own rights.

Access to the internet was declared one of the basic human rights by the UN in 2011.

Twenty-one million people all over the world were the victims of forced labor.

Leisure and holiday guaranteed with pay is a right for everyone.

In four countries death penalties have been abolished by the year 2015.

In the country of South Africa, a celebration of Human Rights Day takes place on 21st March to pay respect to the Sharpeville massacre.

Domestic violence in many countries is still not considered a crime.

Human Rights are such rights that we deserve to get right from our birth. Many people are not quite aware of their basic rights, in that situation awareness of the same is required so that the people can live an unbiased life.

FAQs on Speech on Human Rights

1. Explain the following rights in brief 

(i)  Right to practice our religion

(ii) Right to speak our language

(i) Right to practice our religion means every human being has the independence to live their religion without any restrictions. This is considered as a fundamental right. The article 25-28 of the Indian constitution guarantees this right. Acc. to this right, all religions are treated equally and the citizens of the country are given equal rights to practice their religion. One of the popular Act related to practicing a particular religion is the 'freedom of religion Act' passed in 1968 in the state of madhya pradesh. This act was passed under the governance of congress. This act also promotem converting yourself from one religion to another. This act had terms and conditions which made sure about the security of the individual. One of the important terms related to this act says that 'no individual must be forced to convert from one religion to another' and must have the freedom to live his culture in our society. 

(ii) The right to speak our language is one of the most important rights in the constitution. Linguistic rights are considered as human and civil rights. This right provides the freedom to choose the language the citizen wants to speak. When linguistic rights are combined with human rights, it makes up linguistic human rights. These linguistic human rights include the right to learn different languages including foreign languages. All of the linguistic human rights are language rights but the vice versa is not true. There are some articles that provide linguistic rights are 

Article 10 

2. What are the advantages of giving human rights to the citizens?

  Providing citizens with Human rights helps in the following ways :

Human rights oppose discrimination and helps in spreading equality among the citizen of the country.

Human rights contribute to making the constitution fair.

It helps in proper classification of the group of people on the basis of different languages, places, sex etc. But, human rights provide independence to practice language, religion etc. 

It also helps to enhance the diversity of the country.

The main aim of providing human rights is to empower the citizens to do their desired work. 

It helps in the overall development of the country. Human rights encourage modernisation and growth.

3. Explain the 'right to education' and its merits.

The right to education is a human right that empowers the citizen to gain education without being stopped by anyone. The right to education act was passed by the parliament on 4 August 2009. It encourages educating children on a mass level. It provides the right to free and compulsory education for all. This right is responsible for increasing the literacy rate of India. Also, it makes the citizens aware about their rights. As it promotes literacy, it also contributes in modernisation and growth of the country.

4. Which part of the system cares about human rights?

In India, human rights were established by NHRC National Human Rights Commission). Since then, the government has the responsibility to ensure the proper implementation of various human rights. Government divided this function into different branches of the constitution. The judiciary holds the constitutional responsibility to protect human rights in India. It protects and studies the situations related to human rights. Along with this, it decides the distribution of human rights. For example - every citizen gets equal human rights. But, distribution of human rights on the basis of needs is done by the judiciary. The parliament has the power to approve or pass the bills related to human rights. Further, the Supreme Court and High Courts hold the power to take action and look after the proper distribution and implementation of human rights. Therefore, the department of human rights is managed by the government and not any private organization.

5. What are the drawbacks of human rights?

 Following are points the drawbacks related of human rights :

In underdeveloped countries or remote areas, many people are still unaware about their rights. This proves that distribution of human rights is not 100% possible in the present scenario.

Human rights acts and organizations need a huge amount of monetary funds.

Corruption leads to lack of human rights. This also disturbes the proper working of the system.

Human rights are still not able to uplift the position of females in society. As a result of this, most of the higher posts are occupied by men and this gives rise to inequality. 

Sometimes, human rights do not prove to be helpful for all the citizens at the same time. 

Human rights acts take a long time to get passed and approved by the parliament. This makes implementation of new human rights difficult.

Speech: Technology and innovation to accelerate gender equality and the rights of all women and girls

Opening remarks for the un commemoration of international women’s day, 8 march 2023, by ms. sima bahous, un under-secretary-general and executive director of un women.

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[As delivered]

Welcome to the 2023 Commemoration of International Women’s Day! It is inspiring to look out and to see so much blue and to see every single seat filled in this hall filled with energy, with positivity, with resilience and allow me to say—with love and with power. The blue today is in tribute to women in technology as this year’s theme.

This International Women’s Day falls during the Commission on the Status of Women, highlighting the power and potential of technology and innovation for accelerating gender equality and the rights of all women and girls—and I repeat—all women and girls.   

Today we hold the vision of an equal world close. We draw on it and we push forward. We do so in the face of growing misogyny and regression on women’s rights. The courage of women and girls across the world demands this of all of us.   

Women activists everywhere are standing up and calling for an end to harassment, to violence, to discrimination in education, in the workplace, in legislation, in all aspects of their lives. Today, on International Women’s Day, let us affirm our resolve by honouring the brave and tireless work of all these women. 

Sustainable Development Goal 5 is at the heart of the 2030 Agenda.  It is the great multiplier, the smart investment, the foundation, and the prerequisite. It is no coincidence that as SDG 5 is off-track so are the SDGs as a whole.  

We live in a world of interconnected crises. At the heart of every crisis, we see inequalities multiply. We now have a new form of poverty confronting the world. Digital poverty is growing and intensely gendered.   

Technology and innovation are game changers. They offer huge potential benefits. If used wisely they can bring us back on track for the SDGs and a more peaceful world. If misused, they can derail our efforts. This is the choice. Technology and innovation are enablers. What they enable is up to us. 

We already see the benefits.   

Social media, blockchain and open-source technology have aided relief efforts following the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria.  Women farmers across Africa and Latin America are seeing their livelihoods transformed with digital tools.   

Across the world, mobile banking has connected women to their own bank accounts, unlocking both financial inclusion and economic opportunity.   

And yet, the gender digital divide has become the new face of gender inequality. It compounds existing inequalities, disproportionately excluding women and girls in low-income settings, women migrants, older women, women living in rural areas and those with disabilities.  

This is not only a story of missed opportunities.  Online space can be toxic, breeding new forms of exploitation and violence.  Misinformation has spread unchecked.  Misogyny, xenophobia, racism, and social instability have been propagated and monetized.   

Grasping opportunities and avoiding their potential harms is a whole-of-society challenge. It demands the collective efforts of government, civil society, the private sector and young people, to advance and use technology in ways that harness the power of equality rather than impede it.   

Generation Equality and the Action Coalition on Technology and Innovation form a powerful, multi-stakeholder platform which seeks to do just that—by accelerating progressive change and concrete impact.

Let us be inspired and energize each other.  Let us assert that digital rights are women’s rights. We must and we can reassert human agency over technology; demand the centrality of the feminist principles of inclusion, intersectionality, and systemic change; and ensure accountability so that technology-facilitated gender-based violence in all its forms ends once and for all.   

We need to fix the institutions and the harmful gender stereotyping surrounding technology, innovation and education that fail women and girls—and continue to do so. 

The vision of International Women’s Day is enduring and powerful. We are as committed to it as we have ever been.   

Power, strength, and courage to you all on our day.  

I thank you. 

• 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
• Executive Director
• Commission on the Status of Women
• Gender equality and women’s empowerment
• Innovation and technology
• UN Women administration

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Speech on Human Rights in simple and easy words

Table of Contents

Speech on Human Rights: The concept of Human Rights holds great significance in our lives, especially in today’s time when the exploitation of human beings is increasing day by day. The exploitation has been reported more than ever. To understand the basic rights of a human, it becomes necessary for the teachers to let students get themselves abreast of them. So here we give you both short speeches on Human Rights as well as long speeches on human rights to learn about human rights and the various categories under it. The content that we provide is comprehensive and can help students to learn all about basic rights to live life with dignity. We can confidently say that our content of the speeches on Human Rights are relevant to the topics and are a good reference point for all the learners.

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Target Exam ---

Long and Short Speech on Human Rights­­­­­­­

Speech on human rights­­­­­­­ – 1.

Hon’ble Principal, Vice Principal, My Fell­­­­­­ow Colleagues and Dear Students – Good Morning to everyone present here!­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­

I would like to utilize this opportunity to share my views on human rights and their relevance in today’s world.

All people on Earth have these rights, which work for everyone, no matter who they are or where they’re from, and they exist to safeguard against harm and violations.

Let us first understand what exactly Human rights entail. Broadly speaking, human rights are such rights which each individual becomes entitled to by virtue of his birth and nationality. These rights are considered to be indispensable for any human being irrespective of his/her nationality, race, religion, language, etc. Different countries have their own set of legislatively backed human rights which its citizens are entitled to but the basic theme across is the same – to provide each of its citizens equal rights and not to discriminate among them.

The concept of Human rights has been constantly evolving over the period of time. There have been some basic tenets in the way human societies functioned which recognized the importance of giving each individual access to certain rights. The society recognizes these rights of the individual and respects them.

The earliest civilizations tried codifying the rights as part of the law. Hammurabi’s law was one of the first recorded mentions of the rights of individuals. However, these rights across the societies varied for different individuals. Although the basic concept has been that all citizens are equal, the definition of citizens vastly varied and there were many people who would fall beyond the gambit of citizens and hence do not have a statutory backing to their human rights. Over the period of time, the efforts of various social reformers and activists across different time periods have been to bring in more people into this concept of being citizens.

The international law and theories which started taking shape around 19 th century have attempted towards defining the human rights which are rights each individual is entitled to irrespective of the race, religion or culture. The qualification of being an individual defined here is in larger sense unlike the definition of citizens in the earlier societies. The efforts towards abolishing slavery, fights for equal rights to women, universal adult franchise are few of the efforts that ensured the discrimination of whom to be recognized as being eligible to have rights have been reduced and every individual by virtue of being born as human being is entitled to human rights.

In today’s world, most of the countries recognize human rights and make it a part of their constitutional provisions. The countries which have not yet recognized the basic equality of all its citizens are trying to bring in changes in and provide safeguards for all the citizens to be enfranchised of the rights. These countries face the challenge of deep rooted stigma and discrimination carried down from many centuries. Implementing and practicing at the ground level still remains a problem. Individuals and in many cases large groups of individuals are denied their basic human rights. The main reason for it is the lack of awareness of what they are entitled to.

Human rights are universal and everyone needs to be educated on these and understand that no matter where they are born and who they are, by virtue of being born as humans some rights automatically become a part and parcel of their life in a social set up.

Speech on Human Rights­­­­­­­ – 2

Good Morning Everyone!

Today, please allow me to utilize this opportunity and talk on a very important topic on which each one of us should have a fair knowledge and that is Speech Human rights!

Human rights belong to everyone, no matter who they are. These rights cover life, freedom, and more, for all people, regardless of differences

The concept of Human rights as how we define now is of a recent origin in context of the long Human history. Modern thinkers and commentators attribute human rights to be a product of the French revolution in the 18 th century where the values of liberty, equality and fraternity stood as the central theme for the whole struggle. However the human yearning for basic rights of all the individuals has been a fundamental aspect all through the course of human history. It is this understanding of the basic nature of human rights that we all need to be able to comprehend and realize its meaning, purpose and of course importance in the present times.

The various revolutions and movements which took place in the modern history like French Revolution, American Revolution, the various freedom movements against colonialist rule, anti-slavery movement, women rights movements, etc all have a common theme running through them. It is to recognize the basic right of each individual to lead a life of equality and freedom. These movements helped shape the modern concept of Human rights. There have been many charters, declarations, statements etc which have been drafted and implemented by various authorities around the world to put into effect Human rights to each of its citizens.

United Nations Organization (UNO) has recognized the importance of Human rights by declaring December 10 th as World Human Rights day. This has been adopted since the year 1948. The rights can be included as part of the Human rights varies from each country to country. Modern states across the world have given prominence to this concept of Human rights by providing the citizens with rights which are backed up by the constitution and legislation. India, through its constitution provides its citizens set of fundamental rights. All the citizens in India have equal right to enjoy these fundamental rights and have a right to appeal when any of these fundamental rights are violated. Some Human rights like “Right to live” have a global acceptance and can be exercised in any country within the legal statuettes.

The main idea which I intend to communicate is the need for each one of us to understand the importance of Human rights. The need has a duality to it. The first reason we need to understand about Human rights is for self. As citizens of a nation, it is of primary importance that we have an understanding of the rights that we are entitled to. This would help us to exercise the rights and fight against any exploitation. This understanding helps to serve a larger purpose as well. It is to recognize the rights of other citizens or in a larger context the rights of other human beings and ensure that we do not infringe on them.

This understanding to fight for self and value others claim form the basis for practicing human rights in its true sense.

Speech on Human Rights – 3

Dear Friends – Warm Greetings to all of you! I hope this day finds you in the best of spirit.

Today, I am going to address a very crucial aspect of human life, i.e. Speech on Human Rights. Human rights are defined as those set of rights which are fundamental to human existence. Since they have a universal appeal, people from all over the world are entitled to it. Thus, these rights other than having a universal and fundamental dimension carry a global appeal as well. These rights enable a man to live under no fear or threat. Universalization of human rights without any discrimination is a mark of civilized society. These rights are framed while keeping in mind fundamental human demands and needs. Thus, human rights have found its place in the constitution of every nation.

And, it is the responsibility of very nation to secure human rights for its citizens and give them the liberty to perform actions within their interest, which cause no threat to the integrity of others. As these rights carry a universal appeal, human rights and problems associated with them have become a cause of global concern. In fact, the UN has adopted Human Rights Charter and has asked various governments to not only give them a due place in their constitutional body, but also ensure their enforcement. It was on the 10 th of December in the year 1948 that UN came up with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In the contemporary times, a growing concern has been observed towards safeguarding human rights.

The issues related with human rights differ from society to society whereas the entitlement of social, economic, civil as well as political rights of the people differ from one nation to the other as per the laws governing those rights of the people belonging to a specific country. For instance, the UN has taken much interest in doing way with the discrimination caused against women. Other than that, racial discrimination also forms a major cause of concern under human rights violation. Despite the fact that Black people are a majority in South Africa, they do not enjoy political or social rights as much as white people do, who continue to dominate black people. Nevertheless, this practice of racism has been abolished by the UN and a resolution too has been passed in this regard.

Therefore, it becomes the utmost duty of every nation to form such laws and create such conditions where human rights of the citizens can be protected. Our country, India, has a democratic set up where its citizens are entitled to enjoy basic human rights, in addition to the freedom of expression. These rights are defined as Fundamental Rights, which needless to say form a significant part of the Indian Constitution.

Our Indian Constitution assures six fundamental rights, which are:

• Right to Freedom
• Right to Equality
• Right to choose Religion
• Right against Exploitation
• Right to Constitutional Remedies
• Cultural and Educational Rights

These human rights are founded on the doctrine of human solidarity, support, growth and access of everyone to the common legacy of humankind.

Speech on Human Rights – 4

Hon’ble Principal, Vice Principal, Teachers and My Dear Students – Good Morning to one and all!

I, Priyanka Vashisht from Standard-IX (C), wish to deliver a speech on Human Rights. As Social Science is my favorite subject the best topic that I could think of for this speech ceremony is Human Rights and more so because it’s a vital part of human existence. Why vital because we do not live in isolation, but in a democratic set up where everyone has certain roles and responsibilities to deliver. Besides, each one of us is also entitled to certain rights so that we can enjoy our status as human beings.

In a civilized society, rights play an extremely critical role in the overall growth of human personality. The individual rights are referred to as conditions under which an individual is able to attain his goals or ideals by enjoying the privileges that come with a minimum set of rights. If I were to define human rights, I would define it in the words of Harold Joseph Laski, who said “Rights, in fact, are those conditions of social life without which no man can seek, in general, to be himself at his best”. To put it in simpler terms, rights are the fundamental necessities for a man to lead a good life, which are acknowledged under the state’s legal code.

Human rights are universal in nature having a legal and moral framework, which aim towards safeguarding the interest of the people from rigorous legal, political and social abuses. Following are the human rights examples:

• Freedom of Movement
• Right to Expression
• Right to Freedom of Religion
• Right to associate with a Political Party
• Right to a Fair Trial when accused of a crime
• Right not to be Tortured

In addition, there are certain social and economic rights as well. Let’s take a look:

• Right to Education
• Right to Work
• Right to have a good living standard
• Right to have an equal pay for equal work
• Right to leisure and rest

These rights have moral grounds and have found a place in law at both national as well as international levels. They are primarily addressed to the governments for their observance and enforcement. The chief source of the modern-day thought behind human rights is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (United Nations, 1948). The human rights philosophy attends to such questions as the existence, nature, content, universality and validation of human rights.

However, despite these clearly formulated set of human rights, multiple cases of human rights breach at different places of this world have been observed. I firmly believe that in such a situation an everlasting state of prosperity cannot prevail in a nation where its natives cannot enjoy human rights which are so integral to their existence.

Now, I would request my other fellow students to join me on stage and say a few words in this regard. Thank You!

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Speech on Human Rights FAQs

How do you start a speech about human rights.

Begin with a strong statement or a touching story related to human rights to grab your audience's attention.

What is the best human rights speech?

The best human rights speech is one that is passionate, well-researched, and inspires people to take action for justice and equality.

What are the 7 main human rights?

The 7 main human rights include life, liberty, equality, dignity, justice, education, and freedom of expression.

What are human rights speeches?

Human rights speeches are talks or presentations that address issues related to basic freedoms and fairness in society.

The best human rights speech is one that touches hearts, educates, and motivates positive change.

You can start a human rights speech with a compelling story, a shocking fact, or a thought-provoking question to engage your audience.

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Speech on Campus

The First Amendment to the Constitution protects speech no matter how offensive its content. Restrictions on speech by public colleges and universities amount to government censorship, in violation of the Constitution. Such restrictions deprive students of their right to invite speech they wish to hear, debate speech with which they disagree, and protest speech they find bigoted or offensive. An open society depends on liberal education, and the whole enterprise of liberal education is founded on the principle of free speech.

How much we value the right of free speech is put to its severest test when the speaker is someone we disagree with most. Speech that deeply offends our morality or is hostile to our way of life warrants the same constitutional protection as other speech because the right of free speech is indivisible: When we grant the government the power to suppress controversial ideas, we are all subject to censorship by the state. Since its founding in 1920, the ACLU has fought for the free expression of all ideas, popular or unpopular. Where racist, misogynist, homophobic, and transphobic speech is concerned, the ACLU believes that more speech — not less — is the answer most consistent with our constitutional values.

But the right to free speech is not just about the law; it’s also a vital part of our civic education. As Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson wrote in 1943 about the role of schools in our society: “That they are educating the young for citizenship is reason for scrupulous protection of Constitutional freedoms of the individual, if we are not to strangle the free mind at its source and teach youth to discount important principles of our government as mere platitudes.” Remarkably, Justice Jackson was referring to grade school students. Inculcating constitutional values — in particular, the value of free expression — should be nothing less than a core mission of any college or university.

To be clear, the First Amendment does not protect behavior on campus that crosses the line into targeted harassment or threats, or that creates a pervasively hostile environment for vulnerable students. But merely offensive or bigoted speech does not rise to that level, and determining when conduct crosses that line is a legal question that requires examination on a case-by-case basis. Restricting such speech may be attractive to college administrators as a quick fix to address campus tensions. But real social change comes from hard work to address the underlying causes of inequality and bigotry, not from purified discourse. The ACLU believes that instead of symbolic gestures to silence ugly viewpoints, colleges and universities have to step up their efforts to recruit diverse faculty, students, and administrators; increase resources for student counseling; and raise awareness about bigotry and its history.

QUESTIONS Q: The First Amendment prevents the government from arresting people for what they say, but who says the Constitution guarantees speakers a platform on campus?

A: The First Amendment does not require the government to provide a platform to anyone, but it does prohibit the government from discriminating against speech on the basis of the speaker’s viewpoint. For example, public colleges and universities have no obligation to fund student publications; however, the Supreme Court has held that if a public university voluntarily provides these funds, it cannot selectively withhold them from particular student publications simply because they advocate a controversial point of view.

Of course, public colleges and universities are free to invite whomever they like to speak at commencement ceremonies or other events, just as students are free to protest speakers they find offensive. College administrators cannot, however, dictate which speakers students may invite to campus on their own initiative. If a college or university usually allows students to use campus resources (such as auditoriums) to entertain guests, the school cannot withdraw those resources simply because students have invited a controversial speaker to campus.

Q: Does the First Amendment protect speech that invites violence against members of the campus community?

A: In Brandenburg v. Ohio , the Supreme Court held that the government cannot punish inflammatory speech unless it intentionally and effectively provokes a crowd to immediately carry out violent and unlawful action. This is a very high bar, and for good reason.

The incitement standard has been used to protect all kinds of political speech, including speech that at least tacitly endorses violence, no matter how righteous or vile the cause. For example, in NAACP v. Clairborne Hardware , the court held that civil rights icon Charles Evans could not be held liable for the statement, “If we catch any of you going in any of them racist stores, we’re going to break your damn neck.” In Hess v. Indiana , the court held that an anti-war protestor could not be arrested for telling a crowd of protestors, “We’ll take the fucking street later.” And In Brandenburg itself, the court held that a Ku Klux Klan leader could not be jailed for a speech stating “that there might have to be some revengeance [sic] taken” for the “continued suppression of the white, Caucasian race.”

The First Amendment’s robust protections in this context reflect two fundamentally important values. First, political advocacy — rhetoric meant to inspire action against unjust laws or policies — is essential to democracy. Second, people should be held accountable for their own conduct, regardless of what someone else may have said. To protect these values, the First Amendment allows lots of breathing room for the messy, chaotic, ad hominem, passionate, and even bigoted speech that is part and parcel of American politics. It’s the price we pay to keep bullhorns in the hands of political activists.

Q: But isn’t it true you can’t shout fire in a crowded theater?

People often associate the limits of First Amendment protection with the phrase “shouting fire in a crowded theater.” But that phrase is just (slightly inaccurate) shorthand for the legal concept of “incitement.” (Although, if you think there’s a fire — even if you’re wrong — you’d better yell!) The phrase, an incomplete reference to the concept of incitement, comes from the Supreme Court’s 1919 decision in Schenck v. United States . Charles Schenck and Elizabeth Baer were members of the Executive Committee of the Socialist Party in Philadelphia, which authorized the publication of more than 15,000 fliers urging people not to submit to the draft for the First World War. The fliers said things like: “Do not submit to intimidation,” and “Assert your rights.” As a result of their advocacy, Schenck and Baer were convicted for violating the Espionage Act, which prohibits interference with military operations or recruitment, insubordination in the military, and support for enemies of the United States during wartime.

Writing for the Supreme Court, Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. held that Schenck’s and Baer’s convictions did not violate the First Amendment. Observing that the “most stringent protection of free speech would not protect a man in falsely shouting fire in a theater and causing a panic,” Holmes reasoned by analogy that speech urging people to resist the draft posed a “clear and present danger” to the United States and therefore did not deserve protection under the First Amendment. This is the problem with the line about shouting fire in a crowded theater — it can be used to justify suppressing any disapproved speech, no matter how tenuous the analogy. Justice Holmes later advocated for much more robust free speech protections, and Schenck was ultimately overruled . It is now emphatically clear that the First Amendment protects the right to urge resistance to a military draft, and much else.

Q: But what about campus safety? Doesn’t the First Amendment have an exception for “fighting words” that are likely to provoke violence?

A: The Supreme Court ruled in 1942 that the First Amendment does not protect “fighting words,” but this is an extremely limited exception. It applies only to intimidating speech directed at a specific individual in a face-to-face confrontation that is likely to provoke a violent reaction. For example, if a white student confronts a student of color on campus and starts shouting racial slurs in a one-on-one confrontation, that student may be subject to discipline.

Over the past 50 years, the Supreme Court hasn’t found the “fighting words” doctrine applicable in any of the cases that have come before it, because the circumstances did not meet the narrow criteria outlined above. The “fighting words” doctrine does not apply to speakers addressing a large crowd on campus, no matter how much discomfort, offense, or emotional pain their speech may cause.

In fact, the Supreme Court has made clear that the government cannot prevent speech on the ground that it is likely to provoke a hostile response — this is called the rule against a “ heckler’s veto .” Without this vital protection, government officials could use safety concerns as a smokescreen to justify shutting down speech they don’t like, including speech that challenges the status quo. Instead, the First Amendment requires the government to provide protection to all speakers, no matter how provocative their speech might be. This includes taking reasonable measures to ensure that speakers are able to safely and effectively address their audience, free from violence or censorship. It’s how our society ensures that the free exchange of ideas is uninhibited, robust, and wide-open.

Q: What about nonverbal symbols, like swastikas and burning crosses? Are they constitutionally protected?

A: Symbols of hate are constitutionally protected if they’re worn or displayed before a general audience in a public place — say, in a march or at a rally in a public park. The Supreme Court has ruled that the First Amendment protects symbolic expression, such as swastikas, burning crosses, and peace signs because it’s “closely akin to ‘pure speech.’” The Supreme Court has accordingly upheld the rights of students to wear black armbands in school to protest the Vietnam War, as well as the right to burn the American flag in public as a symbolic expression of disagreement with government policies.

But the First Amendment does not protect the use of nonverbal symbols to directly threaten an individual, such as by hanging a noose over their dorm room or office door. Nor does the First Amendment protect the use of a non-verbal symbol to encroach upon or desecrate private property, such as by burning a cross on someone’s lawn or spray-painting a swastika on the wall of a synagogue or dorm. In R.A.V. v. City of St. Paul , for example, the Supreme Court struck down as unconstitutional a city ordinance that prohibited cross-burnings based solely on their symbolism. But the Court’s decision makes clear that the government may prosecute cross-burners under criminal trespass and/or anti-harassment laws.

Q: Isn’t there a difference between free speech and dangerous conduct?

A: Yes. Speech does not merit constitutional protection when it targets a particular individual for harm, such as a true threat of physical violence. And schools must take action to remedy behavior that interferes with a particular student’s ability to exercise their right to participate fully in the life of the university, such as targeted harassment.

The ACLU isn’t opposed to regulations that penalize acts of violence, harassment, or threats. To the contrary, we believe that these kinds of conduct can and should be proscribed. Furthermore, we recognize that the mere use of words as one element in an act of violence, harassment, intimidation, or invasion of privacy does not immunize that act from punishment.

Q: Aren’t restrictions on speech an effective and appropriate way to combat white supremacy, misogyny, and discrimination against LGBT people?

A: Historically, restrictions on speech have proven at best ineffective, and at worst counter-productive, in the fight against bigotry. Although drafted with the best intentions, these restrictions are often interpreted and enforced to oppose social change. Why? Because they place the power to decide whether speech is offensive and should be restrained with authority figures — the government or a college administration — rather than with those seeking to question or dismantle existing power structures.

For example, under a speech code in effect at the University of Michigan for 18 months, there were 20 cases in which white students charged Black students with offensive speech. One of the cases resulted in the punishment of a Black student for using the term “white trash” in conversation with a white student. The code was struck down as unconstitutional in 1989.

To take another example, public schools throughout the country have attempted to censor pro-LGBT messages because the government thought they were controversial, inappropriate for minors, or just wrong. Heather Gillman’s school district banned her from wearing a shirt that said “I Support My Gay Cousin.” The principal maintained that her T-shirt and other speech supporting LGBT equality, such as “I Support Marriage Equality,” were divisive and inappropriate for impressionable students. The ACLU sued the school district and won , because the First Amendment prevents the government from making LGBT people and LGBT-related issues disappear.

These examples demonstrate that restrictions on speech don’t really serve the interests of marginalized groups. The First Amendment does.

Q: But don’t restrictions on speech send a strong message against bigotry on campus?

A: Bigoted speech is symptomatic of a huge problem in our country. Our schools, colleges, and universities must prepare students to combat this problem. That means being an advocate: speaking out and convincing others. Confronting, hearing, and countering offensive speech is an important skill, and it should be considered a core requirement at any school worth its salt.

When schools shut down speakers who espouse bigoted views, they deprive their students of the opportunity to confront those views themselves. Such incidents do not shut down a single bad idea, nor do they protect students from the harsh realities of an often unjust world. Silencing a bigot accomplishes nothing except turning them into a martyr for the principle of free expression. The better approach, and the one more consistent with our constitutional tradition, is to respond to ideas we hate with the ideals we cherish.

Q: Why does the ACLU use its resources to defend the free speech rights of white supremacists, misogynists, homophobes, transphobes, and other bigots?

A: Free speech rights are indivisible. Restricting the speech of one group or individual jeopardizes everyone’s rights because the same laws or regulations used to silence bigots can be used to silence you. Conversely, laws that defend free speech for bigots can be used to defend civil rights workers, anti-war protestors, LGBT activists, and others fighting for justice. For example, in the 1949 case of Terminiello v. City of Chicago , the ACLU successfully defended an ex-Catholic priest who had delivered a racist and anti-Semitic speech. The precedent set in that case became the basis for the ACLU’s defense of civil rights demonstrators in the 1960s and 1970s.

Q: How does the ACLU propose to ensure equal opportunity in education?

A: Universities are obligated to create an environment that fosters tolerance and mutual respect among members of the campus community, an environment in which all students can exercise their right to participate meaningfully in campus life without being subject to discrimination. To advance these values, campus administrators should:

• speak out loudly and clearly against expressions of racist, sexist, homophobic, and transphobic speech, as well as other instances of discrimination against marginalized individuals or groups;
• react promptly and firmly to counter acts of discriminatory harassment, intimidation, or invasion of privacy;
• create forums and workshops to raise awareness and promote dialogue on issues of race, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity;
• intensify their efforts to ensure broad diversity among the student body, throughout the faculty, and within the college administration;
• vigilantly defend the equal rights of all speakers and all ideas to be heard, and promote a climate of robust and uninhibited dialogue and debate open to all views, no matter how controversial.

Related Issues

• Free Speech

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10 Human Rights Topic Ideas For You To Explore

Are you interested in knowing more about a human rights topic? Maybe you’re in school and need an idea for a project. People hoping to work (or currently working) in the human rights field also need to know about emerging trends. Even if your career isn’t in human rights, these topics are still relevant. Whether you want to volunteer with an organization, raise awareness about an issue, or simply know more about what’s going on, understanding the state of human rights is important. It’s the first step to defending rights and making the world a better place for everyone. Here are ten human rights topic ideas to explore:

#1. Gender inequality

Gender inequality is an evergreen human rights topic. Because it has such a long history, we have a good idea of what works and what still needs to be done. Issues like the gender pay gap, the distribution of unpaid labor, gender-based violence , gendered job segregation, and women’s empowerment play into the state of inequality. Due to the pandemic, gender parity was set back by about a generation, so how to best respond is also a good topic to explore.

#2. Climate change

The climate crisis is arguably the most globally urgent human rights topic today. Reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change consistently confirm that human activity drives climate change. It affects rights like health, housing, food, water, education, and more. It disproportionately affects women, children, older people, minorities, migrants, rural workers, and other vulnerable groups.

#3. Children’s rights

Children often have their human rights violated. This is especially common during times of war, poverty, and other conflicts. The climate crisis represents one of the biggest threats. According to UNICEF , around one billion children are at “extremely high risk.” Kids need adults and organizations committed to speaking up for them and empowering their voices.

#4. The rights of migrants and refugees

More than 280 million people (about 3.6% of the global population) live outside their country of origin, according to the United Nations. Many of those migrants were forced to leave. The reasons vary significantly, but the human rights of migrants and refugees are often threatened. A report by the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the Mixed Migration Centre at the Danish Refugee Council gives us an example. The report detailed how people crossing routes between East and West Africa and Africa’s Mediterranean coast face human rights abuses from smugglers, human traffickers, and State authorities.

#5. Weakening democracy

Freedom in the World 2021 , a report from Freedom House, found that authoritarian actors are becoming more brazen. 73 countries saw their freedom scores decline, including authoritarian states like Belarus and democracies like the United States and India. Considering that 2020 represented the 15th consecutive year of a decline in global freedom, weakening democracy is a disturbing human rights trend.

#6. Reproductive rights in Poland

Reproductive rights are important everywhere, but things are becoming dire in Poland. The country has some of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe thanks to the Law and Justice Party, which came to power in 2015. As things stand, nearly all abortions are effectively banned. This had led to protests like the massive 2020-2021 Women Strike. Groups supporting women’s rights have received bomb and death threats while individual activists are facing what many see as politically-motivated criminal charges. Anyone invested in reproductive rights should watch what’s happening in Poland.

#7. Disability rights

Due to barriers and discrimination, disabilities make it difficult or impossible for people to participate in the workplace, schools, cultural activities, travel, and so on. As an example, the United States’ confusing Social Security rules can lead to reductions or even a complete loss of benefits for disabled people when they marry. Health insurance can vanish, too. Stigma and ignorance make the world an unjust place, too.

#8. Surveillance technology

Concerns about surveillance are growing in the wake of Covid-19 tracking and monitoring technology. Ethical issues already existed in the use of crime prevention technologies, but the pandemic gave governments a reason to use the tech for another purpose. Employee monitoring, QR codes, facial recognition, drones, data collection, and more can easily start threatening human rights. Surveillance technology everyone. It’s a human rights topic that deserves attention.

#9. Transgender rights

Human rights for trans people were never protected that well, but there’s been a global rollback in recent years. 96 countries allow trans people to legally change their gender, but 71 have what ILGA World (a worldwide federation of organizations campaigning for LGBTQ+ rights) calls prohibitive requirements. There’s also been a weakening of discrimination laws, making the world a more dangerous place for trans people.

#10. Disinformation and misinformation

Propaganda and conspiracy theories have always existed, but technology facilitates the lightning-speed spread of false information. Disinformation is deliberate, but accidentally sharing false information – misinformation – can be just as harmful. False information is a human right issue because it threatens rights like the right to free and fair elections, the right to health, and the right to freedom from discrimination. The global surge of false information regarding Covid-19 is a clear example of the real-world effects. Conspiracy theories about the virus’ origins and false claims about cures and vaccines have led to violence and death .

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About the author, emmaline soken-huberty.

Emmaline Soken-Huberty is a freelance writer based in Portland, Oregon. She started to become interested in human rights while attending college, eventually getting a concentration in human rights and humanitarianism. LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights, and climate change are of special concern to her. In her spare time, she can be found reading or enjoying Oregon’s natural beauty with her husband and dog.

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English Speech Topics for Students

• Updated on  
• Mar 7, 2024

Writing an exciting and thoughtful speech requires one to select a good topic, research it thoroughly, and formation of individual opinions to express the same. School students are usually asked to speak on a contemporary topic to help them become good public speakers as well as learn the art of expressing oneself in front of an audience. While many speech competitions often allot topics beforehand, you might also have heard of extempore where topics are given on the spot for speech. This blog brings you a list of common English speech topics as well as some helpful tips and tricks that can assist you in effectively expressing your thoughts and opinions in front of an audience. Let’s begin!

Checkout our 200+ Essay Topics for Students in English

This Blog Includes:

List of best english speech topics for students, 1-minute speech topics, 2-minute speech topics, 3-minute speech topics, easy topics for speech in english, english speech topics on environment, english speech topics on technology, english speech topics on independence day, english speech topics on diwali, english speech topics on corruption, english speech topics on feminism, english speech topics on mother’s day, english speaking topics on capitalism, engish speech topics on gandhi jayanti, english speech topics on reading, english speech topics on communism, english speech topics on deforestation, english speech topics on social issues, english speech topics on important days & events, english speech topics on greatest leaders in india & around the world, english speech topics on indian culture, english speech topics on proverbs, english speech topics on human rights, english speech topics on education, english speech topics on the importance of water, miscellaneous speech topics, types of persuasive speech topics, tips for writing and speaking a speech.

Speeches are all about one’s thoughts. It should not be copied from somewhere. It is all about what the speaker thinks of any given topic. However, take a look at the following list of English Speech Topics on different contemporary issues as well as concepts.

• The Best Day of My Life
• Social Media: Bane or Boon?
• Pros and Cons of Online Learning
• Benefits of Yoga
• If I had a Superpower
• I wish I were ______
• Human Rights
• Environment Conservation
• Women Should Rule the World!
• The Best Lesson I Have Learned
• Paperbacks vs E-books
• How to Tackle a Bad Habit
• My Favorite Pastime/Hobby
• Why should every citizen vote?
• Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): Is it real or not?
• Importance of Reading
• Importance of Books in Our Life
• My Favorite Fictional Character
• Introverts vs Extroverts
• Lessons to Learn from Sports
• Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Quick Read: English Speaking Books

Quick Read: Essay on Peer Pressure

Quick Read: Essay on Health and Fitness for Students

• I mportance of Kindness
• Is there Value in Homework?
• Things I learned in Lockdown
• How can food be recycled?
• Should Art be a part of the school curriculum?
• Should schools teach sign language?
• Women make better presidents/prime ministers
• Why books are better than movies?
• Life was better when technology was simple
• Impact of technology on our health
• Should children’s reality shows be banned?
• Learning in the Wake of COVID-19
• Hard Work vs Smart Work
• What Makes Learning Fun?
• The Coolest Inventions You’ve Seen
• Nuclear Energy
• Importance of AI in Education
• Importance of Extracurricular Activities
• Should exams be banned?
• How to Tackle Bullying in Schools?

• Speech About Dreams
• Speech about life
• Speech on time
• Speech on discipline
• Speech on Happiness
• Speech on Kindness
• Speech on value of time
• Speech on health and fitness
• Speech on Doctor
• Speech on Nurse
• Importance of Education
• Is it beneficial to learn a Second Language?
• Music has healing power
• Success in life
• Self Confidence
• 18th birthday
• Love is more powerful than hate
• Social Impact of Covid-19
• How can Online Learning be Fun?
• Make Public Transport Free
• Should violent video games be banned?
• Speech on Learning

Exploring English Speech Topics? You must also take a look at Extempore Topics !

• Climate Change
• Ozone Layer Depletion
• Reducing Water Levels
• Deforestation
• Global Warming
• Waste Management
• Water-Saving Techniques
• Reducing the Green Cover of Earth
• Endangered species need protection
• Importance of fishing regulations
• Importance of investing in alternative fuels
• Impact of ocean acidification on marine organisms
• The misuse of the term “sustainable development” by environmentalists
• Microbial benefits
• E-Waste Management
• Natural Disasters and their impact on economic growth
• Energy alternatives – Only solution to the environmental damage
• Extinction of rare species
• World Environment Day
• Disaster Management
• Over and Improper Use of Natural Resources
• Air, Water and Soil Pollution
• Efficiency of Recycling

Also Read: How to Write Dialogue: Format, Tips and Examples

• Technology and Mental Health
• Privacy in the Digital Age: Navigating the Challenges of Data Collection and Surveillance
• The Impact of Technology on Society
• Artificial Intelligence: The New Normal
• The Role of Social Media in Communication and Social Interactions
• Sustainable Technology: Innovations for a Greener Future
• The Rise of E-commerce
• Gaming Technology: Entertainment, ESports and Interactive Experiences
• The Digital Divide: Bridging the Gap for Equal Access to Technology
• The Ethical Dilemmas of Emerging Technologies

Also Read: English Vocabulary: Meaning, Types, Tips to Improve

• The Journey of Independence Day
• The Significance of Independence Day
• Indian Independence Day
• Remembering the Founding Fathers
• The Spirit of Independence
• Independence Day and Volunteering
• Independence Day Speeches
• India’s Road to Freedom
• Independence Day and National Identity
• Independence Day in the Digital Age
• Independence Day and Women’s Empowerment
• Diwali: The Festival of Lights and Its Significance in Hindu Culture
• Diwali and the Victory of Good Over Evil
• Diwali and the Art of Giving
• Diwali and the Spirit of Forgiveness
• Diwali and Cultural Exchanges
• Diwali and the Essence of Joy
• Diwali and Social Responsibility
• Diwali and Artistic Expressions
• The Rituals and Traditions of Diwali
• Diwali and the Symbolism of Light
• The Economic Consequence of Corruption
• Corruption and International Aid
• Media and Corruption
• Fighting Corruption
• Corruption in Politics
• The Role of Transparency and Accountability in Curbing Corruption
• The Role of Technology in Combating Corruption
• Whistleblowing and Protecting Mechanism
• Corruption in Business and Corporate Practices
• Understanding Feminism
• The Future of Feminism
• Feminism and Parenting
• Feminism and Online Activism
• Feminism and Environmental Activism
• Feminism and Reproductive Rights
• The Gender Pay Gap: Examining Inequalities in the Workplace
• Feminism and its Evolution
• Feminism and Body Positivity
• Feminism and Media Representation: Encouraging Authentic and Diverse Portrayals of Women
• Expressing Gratitude and Love to Mothers
• The Influence of Mothers in Shaping Our Values and Beliefs
• Motherhood and Education
• Mother’s Day and Volunteerism
• Mother-Daughter Relationship
• The Role of Mothers in Shaping Society
• Mother’s Day Crafts and DIY Gifts
• Learned Lessons from Mothers
• Mother’s Day Around the World: Cultural Traditions and Celebrations
• Capitalism: An Introduction to the Economic System and its Principles
• The Future of Capitalism
• Pros and Cons of Capitalism
• Capitalism and Globalisation
• Capitalism and Consumerism
• Capitalism and Financial Crisis: Undertaking the Risk and Mitigation Measures
• Capitalism and Environmental Sustainability
• Capitalism and the Role of Government
• Corporate Social Responsibility in Capitalism
• Capitalism and the Digital Economy
• Mahatma Gandhi: The Father of the Nation and His Ideals
• Remembering Gandhi: Reflecting On His Life and Legacy
• Gandhi’s Influence on the Indian Independence Movement
• Satyagraha: The Power of Truth and Nonviolent Resistance
• Gandhi’s Philosophy of Swaraj
• The Role of Women in Gandhi’s Freedom Struggle
• Gandhi’s Teaching on Education and Moral Values
• Gandhi’s Lasting Legacy
• Gandhi’s Vision for a Just and Inclusive Society
• The Relevance of Gandhi’s Principles in Today’s World
• The Influence of Reading on Emotional Intelligence and Empathy
• Reading and Mental Health
• Benefits of Reading
• Reading and Empowerment
• The Role of Reading in Academic Success and Lifelong Learning
• Promoting a Reading Culture: Encouraging Reading Habits in Society
• Reading Biographies and Memoirs
• Reading and Social Connections
• The Joy of Reading: Escaping Into the Different Worlds and Characters
• Reading and Personal Identity
• The Current State of Communism
• Communism: An Introduction to the Ideology and Its Historical Context
• The Evolution of Communist Movements
• The Role of the State in a Communist Society
• The Fall of Communist Regimes
• Communism and Religious Freedom
• Communism and Gender Equality
• Communism and Workers’ Rights
• The Criticisms of Communism
• Deforestation: Causes, Consequences and Global Impact
• Deforestation and Climate Change
• Deforestation and Carbon Sequestration
• Deforestation and Individual Actions
• Deforestation and Wildlife Trafficking
• Deforestation and Sustainable Development
• Deforestation and Indigenous Communities
• Deforestation and Biodiversity Loss
• Deforestation and Forest Fires
• The Importance of Forests

Quick Read: TOEFL Speaking Topics

• Women Empowerment
• Education of Girl Child
• Unemployment
• Casteism 
• Reservation
• Importance of Maintaining Hygiene
• Child Labour
• Social Distancing
• Organ Donation
• Importance of the Right to Education
• Child Trafficking
• Cultural Diversity
• Struggles of Immigrants
• Impact of Globalisation
• Adult education
• Independence Day
• Mother’s Day
• World Cancer Day
• World Population Day
• World Health Day
• Ambedkar Jayanti
• Gandhi Jayanti
• Human Rights Day
• Zero Discrimination Day
• Women’s Day
• Thanksgiving
• Anti-Terrorism Day
• Hindi Diwas 

Check out this list of all the important national and international days in 202 4 !

• Mahatma Gandhi
• Jawaharlal Nehru
• Raja Rammohan Roy
• George Washington
• Albert Einstein
• APJ Abdul Kalam
• Nelson Mandela
• Kailash Satyarthi
• Diversity in India
• The Role of Yoga and Meditation in Indian Culture and Its Global Impact
• The Importance of Traditional Indian Clothing
• Indian Folklore
• Indian Festivals
• The Art of Indian Dance
• Traditional Indian Medicine (Ayurveda)
• Indian Epics and Mythology
• Social Customs and Etiquettes in Indian Society
• Indian Sports and Games

Also Read: Speech on Indian Culture

• Honesty is the best policy
• When there’s a will, there is a way
• Actions speak louder than words
• Knowledge is Power
• Ignorance is Bliss
• Don’t judge a book by its cover
• Hard work is the key to success

Explore these proverbs & their meanings through this blog on Difficult Phrases !

• The Role of International Organisations in Promoting and Protecting Human Rights
• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights: A Milestone in Human History
• Gender Equality: Breaking Barriers and Empowering Women
• Ensuring a Safe and Sustainable Environment for the Next Generation
• The Right to Education: Empowering Minds
• Bridging the Gap Between the Rich and Poor
• Human Rights and Armed Conflicts
• Global Fight to Combat Human Trafficking
• Human Rights and Climate Change
• Religious Freedom: Tolerance and Coexistence in a Diverse Society

To know what to mention in such speech topics, explore the Great Personalities in the World !

• Importance of teacher in your life
• SAT scores for college application
• Student bullies should be expelled
• Consequences of cheating in exams
• Homeschooling is better than normal schooling
• Importance of value education
• Importance of sports and physical exercises
• Schools vs colleges
• What is the difference between a school, college and university in the USA?

Check Out: Synonyms List

• The Water-Energy Nexus
• The Essence of Water: Exploring the Live-giving Properties of H2O
• Water as a Driver of Economic Growth and Prosperity
• Water Security: Ensuring Equal Access and Quality for All
• Water and Agriculture
• The Role of Water in Ecosystems
• Water and Blue Economy
• Water Diplomacy: Promoting Collaboration for Transboundary Water Management
• Water and Cultural Significance: Exploring Symbolisms and Rituals
• Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH): Foundational for Human Health and Dignity
• Article 370
• Women rights
• The Constitution of India
• Youth of India
• Culture of India
• Importance of Unity
• Generation Gap
• Importance of Value Education
• Old Age Homes
• Family Values
• Leadership skills
• Rise of Smart Classes
• Grading System
• Importance of Practical Education
• Benefits of Co-Education
• Importance of Co-Curricular Activities
• The uselessness of Power-Point Presentations
• Rise of Technology
• Excessive usage of the Internet
• Speech on Fear
• Speech on Dependence on Technology
• Importance of Social Media
• Speech on India of My Dreams
• Indian Education System
• Speech on My India

While exploring persuasive English speech topics, you must make sure that they are stimulating, engaging, concise and clear. There are three main types of Persuasive Speech topics which are:

1. Factual Persuasive Speech : These topics include facts, figures and statistics to thoroughly analyse the given topic and assess whether it’s true or false.

2. Policy Persuasive Speech : Discussing policies, laws and reforms, these speech topics critically examine the advantages and disadvantages of the given policy or law and suggest the improvements that can be made.

3. Value Persuasive Speech : Mainly focusing on social or political issues, these speech topics present the critique and argument of whether certain actions are morally right or not.

While speaking on a particular topic, there are certain things that you must keep in mind to make your speech expressive and effective. Let’s take a look at some useful topics that help you in acing any topic you are speaking on.

• Always research the topic. If you are participating in an extempore, then make sure to go through the common and popular topics as well as the unconventional ones that you might get. Preparation is the key to delivering an impressive speech.
• Whether you are given a topic on the spot or you are prepared for the speech, it is always pivotal that you seem interested in speaking about it. Relate the given issues to your own life and this will help you in giving it your twist.
• Pay extra attention to your body language and enunciation. While a gesticulative approach will make you seem outward, having timid body language can cause a wrong impression.
• Ponder upon the different viewpoints on a topic . Try to present a holistic view of the given topic but don’t forget to present your opinion on it as well. Along with this, don’t try to take sides unless the topic demands you to.
• Involve your audience, if possible. This way, you will be able to interact with the people and it will also be useful in fighting the fear of public speaking.
• Don’t mug up a speech. It becomes evident when someone just speaks on a topic continuously and the audience might realise that you have memorized it or you might forget a certain part which will let the whole speech fade away from your brain.
• Instead, make notes about the topic in your mind, remember certain keywords and try to maintain a particular flow in your speech.
• Incorporate humour in your speech in a way that you do not offend anyone or overdo it but get a positive reaction from the audience. Humour is a great way of lightening the mood as well as ensuring the whole speech is interactive and engaging.
• When you need more specialized assistance, a  US essay writing service  can be a valuable resource for crafting your speech.

While preparing for English Speech topics, you must also check out IELTS Speaking Topics !

Juvenile delinquency is acceptable. Prostitution should be legal. Underage driving should be punishable by law. Beauty pageants for children should be banned. Prisoner’s right to vote. Voting rights should not be universal. Guns should be banned from college campuses.

A three-minute speech is undoubtedly a wonderful starting point for public speaking. This is because you need to communicate with your audience more effectively when you just have a short amount of time. In addition, the speech ought to be concise, pertinent, and clear.

Life is the gift of God in the form of trust that we will make it meaningful in whatever we can. We are all unique individuals. No one is born like you and no one will ever be, so cherish your individuality. Many times, I come across people accusing God of things that they don’t have. They always cursing their lives.

 2-minute speeches are  short and crisp speeches of about 260-350 words .

Related Reads

Thus, we hope that this list helps you in preparing for different English speech topics. Gearing up for IELTS ? Sign up for an online demo session with our experts at Leverage Edu and we will assist you in preparing for its different sections as well as improving your reading, listening, speaking and writing skills to ensure that you ace the exam with flying colours!

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14 comments

I take english speaking classes, please provide me sone more material to help student’s.

Here are some articles on books and study material that will help your students- https://leverageedu.com/blog/english-speaking-books/ https://leverageedu.com/blog/books-by-charles-dickens/ https://leverageedu.com/blog/best-books-by-george-orwell/

I want topic on students and online classes

It is helpful for my school homework thanks 😸

Glad we could help!

Nice advise 👍

Thank you, Pragya!

Not good topics 🤔🤔

Thanks for the suggestion. We will update the blog!

Helpful for students . So I like it

Thanks for reading! Also, read: Daily Used English Words Speech on Importance of English Reach us at 1800 57 2000 for study-abroad related matters!

You people are giving great contribution in internet learning and it is for all….

Hi, thank you for your valuable feedback.

Awesome! Its really awesome article, I have got much clear idea concerning from this post.

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Speech on LGBT Rights

Understanding LGBT rights is essential for everyone. These rights protect people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. It’s all about equality, respect, and freedom to be oneself.

Sadly, not everyone enjoys these rights. Some face discrimination or unfair treatment because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Let’s change that.

1-minute Speech on LGBT Rights

Hello, everyone! Today, we’re going to talk about something really important – LGBT rights. That’s about the rights of people who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender.

In our first point, let’s understand that everyone is unique. You, me, our friends, we are all different. And that’s a good thing! It makes our world colorful – like a rainbow. Just like we have different tastes in food or music, some people might love someone of the same gender. And that’s okay.

Secondly, we need to remember that love is love. It doesn’t matter if it’s between a boy and a girl, a girl and a girl, or a boy and a boy. Love is a beautiful feeling. And everyone should have the right to experience it freely. Nobody should be treated badly or unfairly because of who they love.

Thirdly, it’s important to know that being Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender is not a choice. It’s just how a person is born. So, it’s not fair to tease or bully someone because they are different. We must be kind and understanding.

Last but not least, we need to stand up for LGBT rights. We need to make sure that they have the same rights as everyone else. They should be able to work, study, marry, and live their lives freely. They should be treated with respect, just like everyone else.

In conclusion, LGBT rights are about fairness, equality, and respect. Let’s make our world a place where everyone feels safe and loved. Thank you.

2-minute Speech on LGBT Rights

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today, I want to talk about something very important. It’s about love, friendship, and being who you truly are. It’s about LGBT rights.

LGBT stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. These are ways people might describe their love for others or how they feel inside. Some people love someone of the same gender, some people feel they were born in the wrong body, and that’s okay. It’s okay to be different. We all are, in our own ways.

Like everyone else, LGBT people should have the same rights too. Rights are like rules that everyone should follow, and everyone should be protected by. Everyone should have the right to love who they want, be who they want, and live their life the way they feel is best for them.

Sadly, not everyone thinks this way. Some people think it’s wrong to be different. They might bully, hurt, or treat LGBT people badly. This is not fair or right. Imagine if you loved chocolate ice cream, but people said it was wrong and you could only like vanilla. It wouldn’t make sense, would it? It’s the same with love, and who we are inside.

Just as you, me, and everybody else, LGBT people have dreams too. They want to go to school, have jobs, get married, and have families. They want to be happy and safe. But, they often face problems because some people don’t understand or accept them.

Think about it. If you were afraid to be yourself or love who you want, would you be happy? Probably not. Nobody should have to hide who they are or who they love. It’s important that we all understand and respect each other’s differences.

We can make a difference. We can treat everyone with kindness and respect, no matter who they are or who they love. We can learn about different people and their experiences. We can speak up when we see someone being treated badly.

Remember, every person is special in their own way. Everyone deserves to be loved, respected, and treated fairly. Everyone deserves to be happy, including our LGBT friends.

• Speech on Learning Different Languages
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• state of the union

The Biggest Moments From Joe Biden’s 2024 State of the Union Address

D elivering what will likely be his most-watched speech before the upcoming Democratic convention, President Joe Biden used his State of the Union address in Washington on Thursday to draw a sharp contrast between his administration's accomplishments and priorities and those of his Republican rival, former President Donald Trump.

Among a range of topics, Biden spoke about abortion rights, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and the border crisis, which he blamed Republicans for not helping him to fix.

The election-year speech comes at a critical juncture for the 81-year-old President and candidate for re-election, who faces skepticism over his age and fitness for a second term—compounded by criticism from some corners of his own party over his handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict. During his address, Biden sought to assure the public of his vigor and determination, rejecting suggestions of frailty, including during intermittent sparring with Republican hecklers in the audience.

“My purpose tonight is to both wake up this Congress, and alert the American people that this is no ordinary moment either,” President Biden declared before laying out his vision for the nation’s future.

Read More: Full Transcript: Read President Joe Biden’s 2024 State of the Union Address

These are the key moments from Biden’s 2024 State of the Union:

Pressuring the GOP on Ukraine

Biden began his speech with a plea to far-right members of Congress to support Ukraine in its war against Russia, arguing that “freedom and democracy are under attack” and that Russia’s aggression will not stop at Ukraine. He said the U.S. needs to continue to provide weapons to Kyiv, which has requested long-range missiles, ammunition, and artillery to take on Russia.

Notably, House Speaker Mike Johnson nodded along and applauded Biden’s plea, even though he is yet to put legislation that would provide $60 billion for Ukraine on the House floor amid opposition from some members of his party.

“Assistance for Ukraine is being blocked by those who want us to walk away from our leadership in the world,” Biden said. “It wasn’t that long ago when a Republican President, Ronald Reagan, thundered, ‘Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.’ Now, my predecessor, a former Republican President, tells Putin, “Do whatever the hell you want.”

“History is watching,” Biden added. “If the United States walks away now, it will put Ukraine at risk.” (Also watching from the seat in the room next to First Lady Jill Biden was the Prime Minister of Sweden, which just joined NATO .)

A contrast with Trump

While Biden did not mention his Republican challenger by name, he made his criticism clear. Not long into his speech, he referenced the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, calling it the “gravest threat to U.S. democracy since the Civil War.”

“My predecessor and some of you here seek to bury the truth of January 6th,” Biden said in reference to Trump. “I will not do that.”

“Here’s the simple truth: you can’t love your country only when you win,” Biden said.

Reproductive rights take center stage

Biden reiterated his pledge to codify Roe v. Wade if he’s re-elected with Democratic majorities in both chambers of Congress, ensuring that abortion and reproductive rights remain a centerpiece of his re-election campaign. He criticized the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the landmark decision nearly two years ago, claiming that “those bragging about overturning Roe v. Wade have no clue about the power of women, but they found out when reproductive freedom was on the ballot. We won in 2022 and 2020, and we’ll win again in 2024.”

Biden’s early emphasis on reproductive rights reflects its growing importance as a pivotal issue in the upcoming election year, particularly as the issue helped mobilize Democratic voters in red states in the 2022 midterms and last year’s elections.

Read More: Biden Targets Republicans on IVF and Abortion Access in State of the Union

In attendance at Biden’s address were several individuals whose lives have been profoundly affected by reproductive care restrictions, including a doctor who came under attack for providing an abortion to a 10-year-old rape victim and two women who had to flee their home states to terminate pregnancies due to fatal fetal abnormalities. As expected, Biden placed the blame for their pain on Trump. “My predecessor came to office determined to see Roe v. Wade overturned,” Biden said. “He’s the reason it was overturned. In fact, he brags about it. Look at the chaos that has resulted.”

Several Democratic women lawmakers in attendance wore white and were donning “Fighting for Reproductive Freedom” pins meant to amplify the need to protect access to reproductive care. 

Border policy riles up Republicans

Lawmakers in attendance mostly maintained decorum up until Biden mentioned the border, a controversial topic that has divided Congress. Biden slammed Republicans for walking away from a bipartisan border security deal that collapsed last month—and he shot back when some Republicans started to groan and boo.

“Oh you don’t like that bill, huh? That conservatives got together and said was a good bill? I’ll be darned,” he said, going off script before rattling off details of the proposal as well as its wide-ranging endorsers, including the Border Patrol union and the Chamber of Commerce. “Unfortunately, politics has derailed this bill so far.”

Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who was donning a red Make America Great Again hat and frequently vocalized her discontent throughout the evening, interrupted Biden’s remarks to call on him to honor Laken Riley, who authorities believe was killed by an undocumented immigrant in Athens, Ga.

Biden responded directly: “Laken Riley, an innocent young woman who was killed by an illegal. To her parents, I say: my heart goes out to you having lost children myself, I understand.”

(Rep. Pramila Jayapal, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and two other progressive Democrats told TIME afterwards that they were disappointed in Biden for using the word “illegal” in reference to migrants.)

Biden then alluded to Trump again—whom he repeatedly referred to not by name but simply as “my predecessor” throughout his speech—saying: “If my predecessor is watching, instead of playing politics and pressuring members of Congress to block this bill, join me in telling Congress to pass it. We can do it together. … We can fight about the border, or we can fix it. I’m ready to fix it.”

Rep. Delia Ramirez, a progressive Illinois Democrat, told TIME after the address that she wanted to hear Biden emphasize how immigrants are crucial to the American workforce instead of touting a bipartisan bill that would have added restrictions on immigration. “Democrats, in some cases, we are sounding just like the other side,” she says. “What we heard tonight wasn't very different from what we’ve heard from the other side. And I wish I would have heard him with more conviction say no human being is illegal.”

Biden threads the needle on Israel and Gaza

Facing pressure from progressive Democrats to do more to de-escalate the Israel-Hamas war, Biden said that his administration has been working “non-stop” on a six-week immediate ceasefire that would return hostages and ease the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. “The United States has been leading international efforts to get more humanitarian assistance into Gaza,” Biden said, announcing plans for the U.S. military to establish a temporary port along the coast of Gaza in the coming weeks that will be able to receive large ships with food, water, medicine and temporary shelters.

“Israel has a right to go after Hamas,” Biden reaffirmed. But he went on to give a direct plea to Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu : “Humanitarian assistance cannot be a secondary consideration or a bargaining chip. Protecting and saving innocent lives has to be a priority.” He added that the “only real solution is a two-state solution.”

In an interview after the State of the Union, Jayapal, who has called for a ceasefire in Gaza, praised Biden for mentioning the humanitarian crisis during his address, calling it “an incredibly progressive speech” but adding that she wants to see Biden’s administration back it up with action.

I’m a capitalist, but…

During the extended portion of Biden’s speech focused on the economy, Biden listed his accomplishments, including “historic job growth” and “inflation keeps coming down.” He highlighted positive trends such as declining unemployment rates, a buoyant stock market, and growing consumer confidence.

“I inherited an economy that was on the brink,” Biden said. “Now our economy is the envy of the world.” (A recent poll from CBS News-YouGov found that 65% of Americans said the economy under Trump was good, but just 38% said it’s currently good under Biden. Fifty-five percent of those polled said Biden’s policies would make prices go up, while only 34% said the same thing about Trump’s policies.)

Biden asserted, “Wall Street didn’t build this country!” rather the middle class and unions did. He added he was “proud to be the first President in American history to walk a picket line.”

Read More: Biden Just Delivered a Top Career Performance. He Needed It.

Biden also renewed his “billionaire tax” proposal that would require those with wealth of more than $100 million to pay at least 25% of their income in taxes, a progressive policy push that would almost certainly be dead on arrival in the Republican-led House. “Look, I’m a capitalist. If you want to make a million bucks—great,” Biden said. “Just pay your fair share in taxes.”

He also called on Congress to raise taxes on large corporations, a proposal that could play a crucial role in his re-election bid by highlighting a stark difference between the two political parties. Many of the tax cuts signed into law by Trump in 2017 are set to expire at the end of next year, meaning the next president will be able to shape the nation’s tax policy.

“For folks at home does anybody really think the tax code is fair?” Biden asked. “Do you really think the wealthy and big corporations need another $2 trillion in tax breaks? I sure don’t. I’m going to keep fighting like hell to make it fair.”

Biden also said his administration is working to cut credit card fees and called on Congress to crack down on “shrinkflation.”

Age on display

Biden waited until the end to confront the pervasive question on the minds of many voters: his age. “I know I may not look like it, but I’ve been around a while,” Biden joked in his closing remarks. “And when you get to my age certain things become clearer than ever before. I know the American story.”

Read More: In Republican Response to State of the Union, Britt Calls Biden ‘Dithering and Diminished’

As concerns over his age and memory intensify, Biden has found himself playing defense following allegations about his mental state from a report on his handling of classified documents. While the report did not recommend pursuing charges against Biden for his actions, Special Counsel Robert Hur highlighted instances, which Biden denies, where Biden allegedly struggled to recall key dates from his vice presidency and the year his son Beau died, leading Hur to describe the President as a “well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.”

Biden concluded: “The issue facing our nation isn’t how old we are, it’s how old our ideas are. Hate, anger, revenge, retribution are among the oldest of ideas. But you can’t lead America with ancient ideas that only take us back. To lead America, the land of possibilities, you need a vision for the future of what America can and should be. Tonight you’ve heard mine.”

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Write to Nik Popli / Washington, D.C. at [email protected]

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5 takeaways from President Biden's State of the Union address

Deirdre Walsh

President Biden delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. J. Scott Applewhite/AP hide caption

President Biden delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Thursday.

President Biden didn't waste any time in his prime-time State of the Union address drawing a sharp contrast with his likely 2024 presidential rival, former President Donald Trump.

Instead of a policy-heavy laundry list speech, the president leaned into politics, and at times, shouted and amped up Democrats with some fiery rhetoric.

Early in his speech he derided Trump, without mentioning his name, chastising those who failed to heed the threat from Russian President Vladimir Putin to Ukraine, and denouncing those who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

The atmosphere in the House chamber often seemed more like a political convention than the annual required speech assessing the state of the nation.

Here are five takeaways.

1. He took on Trump extensively on a wide range of policies

The president referred to policies or comments from "my predecessor" more than a dozen times, making it clear the high-stakes televised speech was his campaign roadmap for his rematch with Trump in November.

The president leaned into the issues that energize his base, like abortion and gun control and tax hikes on the wealthy. But he also attempted to challenge Republicans in the chamber, and Trump outside of it, on issues like the border and crime, areas where he faces skepticism from many independent and suburban voters.

Key moments from Biden's 2024 State of the Union address you may have missed

The president, who is 81, had a bar to clear to alleviate concerns from some in his own party about his age and capacity to hold the demanding job as commander in chief for four more years.

He stuck mostly to his script, was energetic and appeared to fire up Democrats in the chamber, who occasionally chanted "Four more years!" and jumped to their feet cheering the president.

Biden also worked to flip the age issue against his opponent, who at one point he referred to as "some other people my age." Trump is 77.

2. Reproductive rights are front and center in 2024 campaign

With six justices of the U.S. Supreme Court sitting in the front rows, the president criticized the majority conservative court for overturning the landmark abortion case Roe v. Wade in 2022. As he warned that "history is watching" how the U.S. handles alliances abroad, and supports Ukraine, he warned about "another assault on freedom."

Referring to Trump, Biden maintained that the former president was responsible for overturning the law and said, "In fact, he brags about it." He warned that Republicans in the Congress were pushing for a national abortion ban.

Alluding to Trump, Biden calls out Republicans 'bragging' about abortion bans

He ticked through how a host of red states have restricted access to reproductive health services — warning about the latest law in Alabama that effectively banned in vitro fertilization. He mentioned Kate Cox, a guest sitting with the first lady . Cox suffered a fatal fetal condition during her pregnancy but was unable to obtain an abortion in Texas and sued the state .

Biden warned that the GOP underestimated the power of women to mobilize, referencing past wins when reproductive freedom was on the ballot and predicting a win again in 2024.

He also promised to restore Roe v. Wade as the law of the land — something he will need a Democratic House and Senate to achieve, which is not likely after the 2024 election, when Republicans are favored to flip control of the Senate.

The political symbolism of the power of women for Biden's campaign was also visibly on display in the chamber. Dozens of Democratic lawmakers donned white and sported buttons emblazoned with a slogan "fighting for reproductive freedom."

3. Biden made the case for why his economic policies are working

Congressional Democrats, especially those in swing seats , needed Biden to alleviate voters' concerns about his ability to do the job in this kickoff campaign speech. But they chiefly named the economy as the issue they wanted him to highlight.

He argued that the state of the country was far worse when Trump was in office, citing the pandemic that triggered job losses, millions of deaths and a "mental health crisis of isolation and loneliness."

He acknowledged what many Democrats concede, that some of the major bills that Democrats passed since 2021 aren't fully felt around the country.

"It doesn't make the news but in thousands of cities and towns, the American people are writing the greatest comeback story never told," he said.

Many Republicans in the chamber groaned and booed at Biden's description of Trump's record.

Biden touts economic 'comeback' in election-year pitch to skeptical voters

When Biden wasn't calling out Trump's record in the White House, he outlined his own. He pulled out statistics about real world projects that are funded through his top legislative accomplishments — a heath care and climate bill, which was passed without a single GOP vote, and the bipartisan infrastructure bill.

Biden took credit for lowering prescription drugs, and capping the cost of insulin for seniors on Medicare to $35 a month. He vowed in a second term to extend that cap for all who need insulin.

Biden used a familiar populist line from the stump about shifting more cost savings to those on the lower-income side, at the expense of the top 1%.

Biden cited Trump's 2017 tax cuts as the prime example of a president who was skewed toward helping the rich.

He looked into the cameras to those watching at home and asked the political question designed to relate to most Americans, "For folks at home, does anybody really think the tax code is fair?"

4. Border security provoked a GOP response, and blame game

Going into the State of the Union, the president and his advisers knew he needed to detail how he would address the situation at the U.S.-Mexico border and acknowledge the impact it is having, not just in red border states, but in blue cities across the country, where migrants are being bused and straining public resources.

Public opinion polls consistently show it's his weakest issue politically, and Trump and Republicans on Capitol Hill have made it their top priority. Before the president's speech on Thursday, the House approved a bill dubbed the "Laken Riley Act," a reference to the 22-year-old Georgia nursing student who was murdered recently by a migrant who entered the U.S. illegally in 2022. The move was a deliberate attempt to force Democrats to go on the record on a measure that requires the detention of any migrant with a record of theft, and 37 Democrats — chiefly from swing districts — backed it.

Biden spars with Republicans on border security during State of the Union

Republicans wore buttons that included Riley's name, and some chanted her name when President Biden called for Congress to pass the bipartisan Senate border security bill, which White House officials helped broker over several months. The Senate approved the legislation with a significant bipartisan vote, but House Speaker Mike Johnson said it was "dead on arrival" and declined to take it up.

Biden again didn't mention Trump by name, but blamed him for derailing it, "I'm told my predecessor called Republicans in Congress and demanded they block the bill. He feels it would be a political win for me and a political loser for him."

GOP rebuttals to Biden's State of the Union focus on the border and immigration

Biden repeated a challenge he issued in a recent trip to the southwest border for Trump to join him to help pass the bill. He mentioned he was looking at executive authority for policies to reduce the number of migrants — something that has split Democrats on Capitol Hill — but he also said he needed Congress to change the law to fund more enforcement personnel.

The blame game over which party is more serious about the situation at the border is expected to be a leading theme through the fall. Although Democrats are split on the president's embrace of some conservative policies, like altering who can be eligible to claim asylum, the strategy of trying to flip the script and put Republicans on defense for blocking a bipartisan plan is one candidates in competitive races are expected to replicate.

Latino Democrats launch 'Our Lucha' war room using Spanglish to combat GOP

5. biden addressed critics on his mideast policy, stepped up criticism of israeli leaders.

President Biden made Israel's now five-month-long war against Hamas in Gaza a significant part of his speech, and he acknowledged families of those still being held hostage by Hamas in the chamber's visitors galleries.

His handling of the war has angered many progressives, and younger voters, who argue that the president isn't tough enough on the Israeli government. The fallout from his approach has cost him politically, and Democrats are concerned it could prompt some voters to stay home in the fall.

In Michigan, a significant bloc of Democrats upset about the president's handling of Israel's war in Gaza, sent a message in the primary last week, with more than 100,000 registering a vote for the "uncommitted" option on the ballot, instead of for Biden. A number of Super Tuesday states had similar efforts.

'Uncommitted' movement spreads to Super Tuesday states

In Thursday's address, the president announced the U.S. military will build a temporary emergency pier to facilitate the delivery of aid to civilians desperate for food and medicine. But, he declared, "No U.S. boots will be on the ground."

The president stressed that his administration is working on a cease-fire so that hostages can be released and more humanitarian assistance can be delivered. He stressed his personal record over decades as a strong supporter of Israel and his visit during the early part of the war. But he also said, "As we look to the future, the only real solution is a two-state solution."

There is increasing pressure for an immediate cease-fire to materialize, and Biden, who recently predicted a temporary pause would be coming in a matter of days, faces calls from progressives in Congress to cut off military aid to Israel and concentrate on humanitarian assistance.

Biden may have largely united his own party on the need to continue supporting Ukraine. But the deep fissures when it comes to his approach to Israel, as the death toll of civilians mounts in Gaza, has been a regular flashpoint already in campaign stops and shows no sign of fading.

Correction March 8, 2024

An earlier version of this story mistakenly said Republicans are favored to flip control of the House. The GOP currently controls the House and could flip the Senate.

Supreme Court defines when public officials may block critics on personal social media accounts

WASHINGTON – A unanimous Supreme Court on Friday defined when the personal social media account of a public official is a government action, trying to settle an issue that first arose during the Trump administration about whether constituents can be blocked from commenting or from following accounts.

A public official may block constituents, the court said, unless the official had the power to speak on the government’s behalf and intended to do so through their personal social media account.

“State officials have a choice about the capacity in which they choose to speak,” Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote in her opinion for the court. “If the public employee does not use his speech in furtherance of his official responsibilities, he is speaking in his own voice.”

A key question, the justices said, is not whether an employee had some authority to communicate with constituents but whether any "alleged censorship" relates to an issue that falls within the employee's responsibility.

More: Mask mandates? Supreme Court rejects appeal from Marjorie Taylor Greene, GOP lawmakers

Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide

The court had been asked to decide if a city manager in Michigan was allowed to block residents from his Facebook page and whether Southern California school board members could bar parents from commenting on their personal Facebook and Twitter accounts.

The Biden administration had weighed in, arguing that the accounts were personal. But lawyers for the blocked constituents said the officials were performing public functions on their accounts.

The court sent both cases back to lower courts to decide if the actions were proper based on Friday's ruling.

Freedom of speech rights on both sides

During the October oral arguments, the justices – who have no social media presence themselves − expressed a need to give guidance on what’s allowable to the nations millions of government employees. Both sides, they noted, had freedom of speech interests. And the line between personal and official communication on social media is often blurred, Barrett wrote.

The court had not taken a position when it was previously asked whether former President Donald Trump could block criticisms of his prolific Tweets. In 2021, the justice dismissed the case as moot after Trump left office and his his Twitter account was suspended.

Even for public officials who do not use social media as prominently as Trump did, the free speech questions continue to grow as social media plays an increasing role in the lives of Americans and democracy.

Thomas Berry, a scholar at the libertarian Cato Institute, said the court struck a reasonable balance between the public’s right to access official state communications and the rights of government officials to exercise their own private speech.

If, for example, a president formally announces on X that he’s hired or fired a federal official, he probably could not block anyone from reading or commenting on that post, Berry said.

But Martin Redish, a First Amendment expert at Crowell & Moring, said it’s possible the lines the court tried to draw will be difficult to apply in individual cases.

"The court obviously concluded the risk was worth it, and that is a reasonable conclusion," Redish said.

More: Supreme Court sounds skeptical of Texas and Florida laws to regulate social media

What the lower courts decided

In one of the cases decided Friday, O'Connor-Ratcliff v. Garnier, two elected members of a school board near San Diego, California, blocked the parents of students in their district from their personal social media accounts after they raised concerns about race relations and other issues. The officials said the number of messages – one parent left the same comment on 42 posts – amounted to spam. 

Attorneys for the school board members said the only duty they had to interact with the public was at school board meetings.

More: 'So much winning'? Donald Trump remade the Supreme Court. It hasn't always made him a winner

But the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the parents.

In another case, Lindke v. Freed, the city manager of Port Huron, Michigan, blocked several residents from his Facebook page, including one who argued in a post that city leaders were eating at a "pricey" restaurant during the COVID-19 pandemic rather than talking to residents. 

The manager shared personal updates on Facebook along with information about his job, such as news about leaf pickups and whether Port Huron residents are allowed to have chickens.

His attorney said a public official should be able to speak about their job on a personal Facebook page as long as they’re not taking official action.

The Cincinnati-based 6th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in the city manager’s favor.

More: One big happy 'family'? Supreme Court justices talk of unity as they weigh explosive cases

More social media decisions to come

Friday's opinion is just one of the court decisions expected this term to grapple with free speech right in an increasingly digital world.

The Supreme Court is also reviewing challenges to laws in Texas and Florida that would limit the ability of  platforms like Facebook, YouTube and X  to moderate content.

And it will settle a dispute about whether officials in the White House and federal agencies violated the First Amendment when they  leaned on social media companies to suppress content  it viewed as disinformation about the election and COVID-19.

The biggest moments from Biden’s 2024 State of the Union address

President Biden delivered an aggressive State of the Union speech Thursday night in which he drew sharp contrasts with former president Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress.

Biden made reference to “my predecessor” more than a dozen times and challenged GOP lawmakers over their resistance to his first-term agenda. As the speech went on, he increasingly engaged with angry outbursts from the audience .

It was a speech befitting the political moment, as Biden faces an expected rematch against Trump and tries to push his agenda through a polarized Congress.

While Republicans found multiple occasions to jeer, Democrats broke out in chants of “Four more years!” more than once.

Here were six highlights:

‘My predecessor’

Within the first few minutes of the speech, Biden swiped at Trump — and did not let up.

Biden knocked Trump over topics including his coziness with Russia, the Jan. 6 , 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, and his leadership during the coronavirus pandemic.

After describing the economic and societal anguish brought by the pandemic, Biden said his predecessor “failed the most basic” presidential duty: “the duty to care.”

That drew an angry outburst from the audience as someone yelled out, “Liar!” House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) shook his head.

Abortion rights

Biden wasted little time addressing a top issue for Democrats in the November election: abortion rights.

Biden criticized Trump for bragging about appointing the Supreme Court justices who in 2022 helped overturn Roe v. Wade and end the constitutional right to an abortion. And with some of the justices in the audience, Biden warned that the decision has unleashed a political storm.

“With all due respect, justices, women are not without electoral or political power,” Biden said. “You’re about to realize just how much.”

Biden also seized on the recent Alabama Supreme Court ruling that frozen embryos are children , which has disrupted fertility care in the state. Democrats have called it the latest consequence of Republicans’ long campaign against abortion rights and reproductive care. Biden challenged the GOP to “guarantee” IVF protections “nationwide.”

Looking to November, Biden also accused Trump of wanting a national abortion ban, a topic the former president has ducked as he prepares for the general election. “My god, what other freedoms would you take away?” Biden said.

Mixing it up with congressional Republicans

While Biden repeatedly criticized Trump, he also did not hesitate to mix it up with the Republican lawmakers in the room.

Discussing Jan. 6 early in the speech, Biden said Trump “and some of you here seek to bury the truth” about what happened that day.

As the speech went on, though, Republicans in the audience became more willing to respond — and Biden obliged them. One of those moments arrived when Biden charged Republicans with wanting to cut Social Security and cut taxes for the wealthy.

“Oh, no? You guys don’t want another $2 trillion tax cut?” Biden said. “I kind of thought that’s what your plan was. Well, that’s good to hear.”

Biden also appeared happy to highlight the unanimous Republican opposition some of his signature proposals have faced in Congress. Referencing the Inflation Reduction Act — a sweeping measure to combat climate change, lower health-care costs and reduce the federal deficit — that Biden signed in 2022, he said Thursday that it sought to lower prescription drug prices and noted that “not one of you Republican buddies voted for it.”

Border battle

Addressing one of the biggest vulnerabilities in his reelection campaign — the situation at the U.S.-Mexico border — Biden again called on Republicans to drop their resistance to the Senate bipartisan security deal that the GOP recently scuttled at the behest of Trump.

“We can fight about fixing the border,” Biden said, “or we can fix it.”

The border deal would overhaul the asylum system and give the president new power to effectively shut down the border if illegal crossings reach a certain threshold. But Trump lobbied Republican lawmakers to oppose the deal, calling it a political gift for Biden.

Biden touted the proposal’s toughness in his speech, which led to objections from Republicans in the audience. Biden also used the moment to engage with GOP lawmakers, credulously asking why they did not like a bill “that conservatives got together and said was a good bill.”

Going into the speech, Republicans had challenged Biden to “say her name” and mention Laken Riley, the slain Georgia nursing student whose alleged killer, immigration authorities say, illegally entered the country .

They got their way — sort of — while Biden discussed the bipartisan border security deal. Responding to an outburst from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), Biden paused and addressed the matter, though he appeared to initially mispronounce Riley’s first name as “Lincoln.”

“An innocent young woman who was killed by an illegal, that’s right,” Biden said.

Tough on Russia

The first moments of Biden’s speech were striking not just for the direct criticism of Trump but also for the context in which it came. Calling for increased Ukraine aid, Biden deployed the kind of tough-on-Russia rhetoric that has become less common in the GOP under Trump.

“My message to President Putin … is simple,” Biden said. “We will not walk away. We will not bow down. I will not bow down.”

Ukraine aid has become tied up in Congress, in part because some Trump-aligned Republicans believe the United States should focus more on domestic issues than the overseas conflict.

Biden also did not spare Trump on Russia, hammering him over his recent comments that he would encourage Russia to do whatever they want to a NATO country if that country was not paying enough for defense.

“Bowing down to a Russian leader,” Biden said. “I think it’s outrageous, it’s dangerous and it’s unacceptable.”

The age matter

With polls showing many voters concerned about his age, Biden, 81, did not shy away from the topic.

“I know I may not look like it, but I’ve been around a while,” Biden said jokingly. “And when you get to my age certain things become clearer than ever before.”

He then referenced his age to contrast his optimism for America with Trump’s view, nodding at the fact that Trump is just four years younger than he is.

“Now other people my age see it differently — an American story of resentment, revenge and retribution,” Biden said. “That’s not me.”

Election 2024

Get the latest news on the 2024 election from our reporters on the campaign trail and in Washington.

Who is running? President Biden and Donald Trump both secured their parties’ nominations for the presidency , formalizing a general-election rematch.

Key issues: Compare where the candidates stand on such issues as abortion, climate and the economy.

Key dates and events: From January to June, voters in all states and U.S. territories will pick their party’s nominee for president ahead of the summer conventions. Here are key dates and events on the 2024 election calendar .

• Biden hosts Irish leader at White House March 15, 2024 Biden hosts Irish leader at White House March 15, 2024
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In-Your-Face Biden Takes on Trump and His Own Doubters

In a raucous State of the Union address, the president’s goal was to reassure Americans that at 81 he is ready for a second term. He made his case, loudly and forcefully.

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By Peter Baker

Peter Baker has covered 23 State of the Union addresses. He reported from Washington.

This was not Old Man Joe. This was Forceful Joe. This was Angry Joe. This was Loud Joe. This was Game-On Joe.

In an in-your-face election-year State of the Union address , President Biden delivered one of the most confrontational speeches that any president has offered from the House rostrum, met by equally fractious heckling from his Republican opponents.

It was an extraordinary spectacle that exemplified the raucous nature of modern American politics, one that made clear how far Washington has traveled from the days of decorous presidential addresses aimed at the history books. Mr. Biden again and again assailed his opponent in the fall election and the opposition lawmakers sitting in front of him. Republicans jeered and booed. Democrats chanted, “Four more years,” as if it were a campaign rally.

But that was the point. Frustrated by all the talk about his age and determined to dispel voter doubts, Mr. Biden, 81, used the most prominent platform of this election year, with what is likely the largest television and internet audience he will address before November, to exhibit his stamina, his vitality, his capacity and, yes, his umbrage. Defiant and feisty, he dispensed with the conventions of the format to directly take on former President Donald J. Trump and attempted to make the election a referendum on his predecessor rather than himself.

While he did not use Mr. Trump’s name, Mr. Biden referred to “my predecessor” 13 times and unabashedly denounced “you in this chamber” for being the former president’s lackeys by blocking security aid to Ukraine and a bipartisan border deal for political reasons. Every time they hooted or interrupted, he gave as good as he got, mocking their points and challenging them to pass important legislation.

He was so pumped up, so eager to get started, that he rolled right over House Speaker Mike Johnson , opening his speech without letting the neophyte Republican leader make the traditional “high privilege and distinct honor” introduction. Mr. Biden shouted his lines, clearly intending to use volume to demonstrate vigor. The prepared text had 80 exclamation points in it and he surely added more on his own as he went along.

“My predecessor and some of you here seek to bury the truth about Jan. 6th!” he declared about the 2021 attack on the Capitol instigated by Mr. Trump.

“We stopped you 50 times before and we will stop you again!” he vowed about Republican efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

“My God, what freedom else would you take away?” he demanded after condemning the overturning of Roe v. Wade by Trump-appointed justices.

If the subtext of the 68-minute speech was to calm Democrats and independents worried that he is too old to seek another term, Mr. Biden addressed the matter explicitly at the very end, referring to “other people my age,” meaning Mr. Trump, who is 77 and also has moments of public confusion and memory lapses .

“My fellow Americans, the issue facing our nation isn’t how old we are, it’s how old are our ideas,” Mr. Biden said. “Hate, anger, revenge, retribution are the oldest of ideas. But you can’t lead America with ancient ideas that only take us back. To lead America, the land of possibilities, you need a vision for the future and what can and should be done.”

The president’s address seemed to get under Mr. Trump’s skin. “That may be the Angriest, Least Compassionate, and Worst State of the Union Speech ever made,” Mr. Trump wrote on his social media site afterward, including his own exclamation point. “It was an Embarrassment to our Country!”

For many watching, the speech presumably generated a different impression of Mr. Biden than he sometimes leaves in public appearances, when he can seem frail and halting. While he mangled his lines at points and interrupted his speech to cough a couple times, he came across as far more commanding and energized, reassuring some of his supporters.

More than most presidents on such occasions, he departed from the prepared text on the teleprompter to ad-lib lines — at times curiously, as when he talked about Snickers bars “with 10 percent fewer Snickers in them,” at other times aggressively, as when he responded to the rowdiest members of the audience.

At one point, Mr. Biden had almost a repeat of last year’s State of the Union address, when he turned the tables on Republicans protesting his claims about their plans to undermine Social Security. “Republicans can cut Social Security and give more tax breaks to the wealthy,” he said this time, at which point G.O.P. lawmakers interrupted with boos and catcalls.

“You guys don’t want another $2 trillion tax cut?” he said with a smile on his face. “I kind of thought that’s what your plan was. Well, that’s good to hear.”

At another point, when he invoked the bipartisan border deal rejected by Republicans, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene shouted about the case of Laken Riley , a 22-year-old nursing college student from Georgia who was killed last month, according to authorities, by a Venezuelan migrant who had entered the country illegally. “Say her name!” she screamed.

Ms. Greene, the proudly rabble-rousing Republican from Georgia who used to espouse QAnon conspiracy theories, showed up wearing a red Make America Great Again hat and a “Say Her Name” T-shirt. Mr. Biden called her bluff and interrupted his speech to hold up a “Say Her Name” button that had been given to him. He went ahead to say Ms. Riley’s name — although he botched it by calling her “Lincoln” instead of “Laken.”

He added that “my heart goes out” to her family but asked how many “thousands of people are being killed” by people living in the United States legally and argued that passing the border bill would reduce illegal crossings. “Get this bill done,” he told Republicans. “We need to act now.”

Mr. Biden, who began attending State of the Union addresses in the early 1970s as a young senator, was clearly comfortable and enjoyed the return to Capitol Hill. He took his time entering the chamber, shaking hands and chatting with lawmakers, even making a playful face at Ms. Greene when he saw her hat. Likewise, he hung around long after the speech, rehashing its best moments with Democrats who surrounded him on the floor.

Unleashed and unyielding, Mr. Biden seemed to relish the showdown. While he boasted of his accomplishments and rattled off the usual litany of policy pronouncements as presidents usually do, he made no aspiration to lofty rhetorical flourishes.

He mentioned only in passing his “unity agenda” in a speech with almost no unity in it. Instead, he conveyed the impression of a candidate itching for a fight, coming across as more combative than even the typically bellicose Mr. Trump did in the same setting four years ago .

“We will not walk away,” Mr. Biden said early in his address. “We will not bow down. I will not bow down.”

He was speaking at that moment specifically of the fight against Russia. But he seemed to also mean the fight for his own presidency.

Peter Baker is the chief White House correspondent for The Times. He has covered the last five presidents and sometimes writes analytical pieces that place presidents and their administrations in a larger context and historical framework. More about Peter Baker

Our Coverage of the State of the Union

In a raucous state of the union address, president biden sought to reassure americans that at 81, he is ready for a second term..

Biden’s Performance: The president was feisty   and displayed a newly found solemnity and blunt combativeness . Republicans jeered  from their seats. And Democrats enthusiastically cheered their presidential nominee, even as a few aired their grievances about the war in Gaza .

A Contrast With Trump: In his speech, Biden launched a series of fiery attacks  against former President Donald Trump, a competitor whom he did not mention by name but made clear was a dire threat to American democracy  and to  stability in the world .

Middle East Crisis: During the State of the Union, the president announced the construction of a port to deliver aid to Gaza. That decision, as well as the  authorization of aid airdrops  on the territory, raised uncomfortable questions  about America’s role in the war.

Seeking a Tricky Balance: As he spoke to Congress, Biden tried to demonstrate that he could be tough on the border without demonizing immigrants .

A Rare Mention: Biden briefly referenced a topic  that he has often been reluctant to embrace: marijuana. His words could signal a move toward promoting the efforts he has made to liberalize cannabis policy.

Style Choices: Democratic women in suffragist white , Marjorie Taylor Greene in MAGA red. The sartorial statement-making on the congressional floor was clear .

1 Minute Speech on Fundamental Rights In English

Good morning to one and all present here. Today, I’ll be giving a small speech on the topic ‘Fundamental Rights’.

Fundamental rights, simply put, are the basic rights promised to the citizens of a country by its Constitution. Articles 12-35 of the Indian Constitution comprise the Fundamental Rights. These fundamental rights are hence inviolable.

Fundamental rights are applicable to every citizen of India irrespective of gender, class, caste, creed, or economic status in life.  In case of any violation, a citizen can approach a court of law and demand justice.

In India, citizens are offered 6 basic fundamental rights. They are the Right to Equality (Article 14-18), Right to Freedom (Article 19-22), Right against Exploitation (Article 23-24), Right to Freedom of Religion (Article 25-28), Cultural and Educational Rights (Article 29-30), and Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32).

The Right to Property had been a 7th Fundamental Right. However, it was removed as a fundamental right and made a legal right with the 44th Amendment of the Constitution.

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