FOLIO Ontology

A freedom of association claim is a legal action initiated by an individual or group alleging that their right to freedom of association, as protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, has been violated by the government or a government actor. The First Amendment guarantees the right to associate with others for the expression of ideas, beliefs, and collective action, including the right to form and join groups and organizations. A freedom of association claim may arise in various contexts, such as when a government body enacts a law or regulation that unduly restricts the right to associate or form organizations, when a government actor interferes with the right to join or participate in a group or organization, or when an individual or group is discriminated against or punished based on their association with a particular group or organization.