One of the factors that made the American Revolution possible was the existence of fairly robust debate years before the nation adopted the U.S. Constitution or the Bill of Rights. In some cases, Americans exercised greater rights in America than they had in England. The Peter Zenger case of 1735 had, for example, allowed for truth

Emma Goldman demonstrated for First Amendment rights through speeches,
lectures, picketing and marching. She faced arrests and official harassment
for her unpopular views.

Labor leader and socialist Eugene V. Debs fought for associational and
organized labor rights under First Amendment. He was imprisoned under the
Espionage Act.

Horace Mann’s vision of universal education and non-sectarian schools was a
precursor to the Supreme Court’s interpretation of First Amendment
principles in public schools.

Tipper Gore led a successful fight to have parental warning labels affixed
to record albums that contained explicit lyrics. Critics said her efforts
violated the First Amendment.