How does the supreme court uphold individuals rights to free speech?

The Supreme Court upholds individuals' rights to free speech through various landmark rulings that interpret the First Amendment. It affirms that speech includes not only verbal communication but also symbolic acts and expressive conduct. The Court often applies strict scrutiny to laws that may infringe on free speech, requiring a compelling governmental interest and narrow tailoring of regulations. Landmark cases like Tinker v. Des Moines and New York Times Co. v. Sullivan further reinforce the protection of free expression, even when the speech is controversial or unpopular.