Ep 2. It's a Free Country

Constitution USA with Peter Sagal is a four-part PBS documentary series that explores the United States Constitution and its impact on American society. In season one, episode two, titled "It's a Free Country," Peter Sagal travels the country to examine the meaning and limitations of freedom in America.

The episode begins with a look at the First Amendment and the freedom of speech. Sagal visits a college campus where controversial speakers have been banned, sparking a debate about the limits of free speech in a society that values both individual liberty and social order. He also speaks with a group of journalists who discuss the importance of a free and independent press in a democracy, and how it has been threatened in recent years.

The episode then turns to the Second Amendment and the right to bear arms. Sagal travels to Chicago, where strict gun control laws have been put in place in an effort to curb the city's high rates of gun violence. He discusses the pros and cons of gun control with both advocates and opponents, and examines how the Second Amendment has been interpreted by the courts.

Next, the episode looks at the Fourth Amendment and the right to privacy. Sagal speaks with a group of activists who are fighting against government surveillance programs, and visits a city where police officers are required to obtain a warrant before using drones for surveillance. He also examines the controversy over the use of body cameras by police officers, and how they can both protect and invade individual privacy.

The episode concludes with a discussion of the Fourteenth Amendment and the concept of equality. Sagal visits a small town in Mississippi where civil rights activists fought for the right to vote, and talks with a group of students who are using social media to raise awareness of police brutality against people of color. He also looks at the issue of marriage equality and how the Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges has impacted same-sex couples across the country.

Overall, "It's a Free Country" offers a thought-provoking examination of some of the most fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. Through interviews with experts, activists, and ordinary citizens, Peter Sagal sheds light on the challenges and controversies that arise when our ideals of freedom and equality come into conflict with one another.