Galloway, N.J. - What does the First Amendment look like on a college campus? 

Gianna Schiattarella, a photographer, Political Science major, and Holocaust and Genocide Studies minor, challenged herself with that question and used her camera to visualize her answer. Over the fall semester, she attended events and met with student groups to see how Ospreys exercise their First Amendment rights--the freedoms of speech, petition, assembly, religion and press. 

The search for answers led her to a rock climbing gym, Stockton's annual Constitution Day event, a meeting with the Muslim Student Association, The Argo newsroom, the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy’s lecture on Daniel’s Law and a campus protest. At each of the events and meetings, she saw how our freedoms give students opportunities to grow, learn and lead. 

“I chose the First Amendment as my photo story topic to recognize our protected freedoms, and how they are of value to us. In our democratic nation, it is the freedom of speech, press, religion, petition, and assembly that allow for citizens to have more control over their own lives. There are so many ways in which Stockton students exercise their rights on campus, in clubs, and in their day-to-day routines. To capture these moments and relate them to my studies as a political science student was such a pleasure to work towards this semester,” she said. 

Schiattarella is a sister of the Delta Zeta Sorority, a member of the Equestrian Club, Rock Climbing Club and Love Blue, a volleyball coach and former Volleyball MVP at Southern Regional High School. With her diverse interests, she had plenty of angles to point her lens, but she chose to use her camera as a tool to see our freedoms more clearly and to share those visions with students to encourage them to get involved and exercise their rights on campus.

Schiattarella grew up capturing photos, but her photography interest grew when she began creating content for Love Blue social media and documenting their beach cleanups. As a photography intern for the University Relations and Marketing department, she honed in on her visual storytelling skills to explore her major and elevate civic engagement on campus. 

View Schiattarella's series of images that depict each of the First Amendment's freedoms. 

Intro by Susan Allen 
Photos and captions by Gianna Schiattarella

 

Freedom of Assembly

The Coalition for Women’s Rights hosted a Just Say Gay march on campus to protest the anti-queer laws such as Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill. "The freedom to peacefully assemble is a crucial right to those looking to advocate for change and fight for socio-economic and human rights issues and to stand up for their beliefs," said Schiattarella. 

 

Freedom of Press

Editor-in-Chief Liz Meyer led The Argo, Stockton's independent student newspaper, this year. On the final meeting before fall break, members were able to celebrate Meyer’s leadership and constant positive energy on campus and in The Argo room before another Osprey will step in and be tasked with some pretty big shoes to fill. I was able to experience writing for The Argo this semester, covering the 20th Annual Fannie Lou Hamer Human and Civil Rights Symposium. The article is pictured on the computer screen.  

 

Freedom of Petition

The Rock Climbing Club was recently petitioned back onto Stockton’s campus and now is
home to over 148 members. The club has a non-competitive nature and always encourages its
members to succeed. Interested in developing a new club on campus? Visit Student Development to get started.  

 

Freedom of Speech 

Two campus lectures explored freedom of speech. The William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy invited Judge Esther Salas to speak about the tragic death of her son, who was murdered at her home in July of 2020. Daniel’s Law introduced the protection of law enforcement, judges, prosecutors, and their families by prohibiting their addresses or phone numbers from being disclosed. At Constitution Day, Melissa Murray addressed women’s rights and the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization ruling. 

 

Freedom of Religion

The Muslim Student Association (MSA) is one of many religious organizations on campus. MSA serves a diverse group of people from many different backgrounds who all have the practice of Islam in common.