CONSTITUTION OF MARYLAND

ADOPTED ON THE TENTH DAY OF JANUARY, NINE-
TEEN HUNDRED AND SIXTY-EIGHT, BY THE CONSTI-
TUTIONAL CONVENTION OF MARYLAND WHICH AS-
SEMBLED AT THE CITY OF ANNAPOLIS ON THE
TWELFTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, NINETEEN HUNDRED
AND SIXTY-SEVEN, AND ADJOURNED ON THE TENTH
DAY OF JANUARY, NINETEEN HUNDRED AND SIXTY-
EIGHT.

PREAMBLE

We, the people of the State of Maryland, grateful to Almighty
God for our civil and religious freedom, recognizing that all politi-
cal power originates in the people and that all government is insti-
tuted to secure their right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness, and acknowledging our duty and responsibility to pos-
terity, do establish and ordain this Constitution.

ARTICLE I. DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
Section 1.01. Freedom of Expression.

The people shall have the right peaceably to assemble and to
petition the government for a redress of grievances. Freedom of
the press and freedom of speech shall not be abridged, each per-
son remaining responsible for abuse of those rights.

Section 1.02. Freedom of Religion.

No law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion,
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

Section 1.03. Due Process and Equal Protection.

No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property with-
out due process of law, nor be denied the equal protection of the
laws, nor be subject to discrimination by the State because of
race, color, religion, or national origin.