Why did many Americans consider the Sedition Act to be a violation of civil rights?

Many Americans viewed the Sedition Act as a violation of civil rights because it restricted free speech and the press by criminalizing criticism of the government. The act was seen as an infringement on the First Amendment rights, as it allowed for the prosecution of individuals for expressing dissenting opinions or publishing articles deemed seditious. Critics argued that it undermined the democratic principles of open debate and political discourse, leading to fears of government overreach and the suppression of dissent.