Which of the following would most likely be protected by the First Amendment? __ A A reporter knowingly publishes a false story that injures the subject's reputation. __ B A student wears a black armband at school to protest government involvement in a war. __ C An individual issues a threat against another individual on social media. __ D (D) An individual spray paints graffiti on a public building to protest a government action.

## Step 1<br />The First Amendment of the United States Constitution protects the freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition. This means that any action or expression that falls under these categories is protected by the First Amendment.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />Option A involves a reporter knowingly publishing a false story that harms someone's reputation. This is not protected by the First Amendment because it involves the intentional dissemination of false information, which can harm someone's reputation.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />Option B involves a student wearing a black armband at school to protest government involvement in a war. This is a form of symbolic speech, which is protected by the First Amendment. The student is expressing a political opinion through a non-verbal action, which is a form of speech protected by the First Amendment.<br /><br />## Step 4<br />Option C involves an individual issuing a threat against another individual on social media. This is not protected by the First Amendment because it involves a threat of violence, which is not protected by the First Amendment.<br /><br />## Step 5<br />Option D involves an individual spray painting graffiti on a public building to protest a government action. This is not protected by the First Amendment because it involves the destruction of public property, which is not protected by the First Amendment.