Those Who Preach Free Speech Need to Practice It

[@bradbel]

They “called in the SWAT team” because they protesters occupied private building. Not what they were saying.

[@wreckingrow6566]

Protesting is protected, destruction of property, vandalism, and threats to students is not. Which students that weren't breaking the law were arrested? The ones I see getting arrested should absolutely be prosecuted for crimes that have nothing to do with speech.

[@prithvib8662]

The police were called well before any property damage took place, The police were called purely to try to contain the protest. Which is fine in some cases and in other cases was an overreach, like in the case of UT Austin

[@Quizoid]

FIRE agrees with your first statement. 1:24

[@umeng2002]

Even to this day, people confuse speech with action as if no one has a brain to control their own actions.

[@huckfin1598]

You can’t get into violence, taking over real estate by encampment, or the hecklers veto. FIRE really dropping the ball on this one.

[@tobynsaunders]

None of those three things that you listed are supported by FIRE, so what are you referring to?

[@phocion1543]

If you had actually watched this video you’d have heard him say that violence and encampments are not free speech. Why so eager to claim they are dropping the ball?

[@Zayphar]

@@tobynsaunders The encapments. Time, Place and Manner violations to the rules that govern Free Speech. The First Amendment is not a license to engage in acts of anarchy.

[@Zayphar]

@@phocion1543 "Of course it doesn't need to be said..." Doesn't need to be said... unless you are just making excuses for activists using the First Amendment as a cover for illegal acts.

[@tobynsaunders]

@@Zayphar And can you now quote FIRE supporting the right to camp on private property (or public, for that matter)?

[@tobynsaunders]

For those of us (a big majority of people) without an Atlantic subscription, has FIRE listed the instances of the government overstepping the mark? That would be important, in my opinion, given that people are going to see this video and wrongfully imagine that you're supporting the right of students to break the law.

[@timmurphy5070]

Excellent, clear, & concise 🔥

[@Zayphar]

Time, Place & Manner. The allowable restrictions to Free Speech. It is not what is expressed, it is when, where and how. The police are in the right in this case.

[@tobynsaunders]

"This case"? What case?

[@Zayphar]

@@tobynsaunders Tresspassing, Assault(Intimidation/Threats)...even cases of Battery & Vandalism. None of these acts are legally protected speech.

[@Quizoid]

Are you just highlighting the section at 1:24?

[@Zayphar]

@@Quizoid Yeah, you know the old saying...'every thing that comes before the 'But' is BS'. This statement has a big 'But' on it. Watch it again...this time without blinders.

[@deadman746]

Hmmm... So with respect to the free speech/violence connection, what do you, the legal director, think of Schenck, Abrams, Debs, Frohwerk, and Dennis? Those opinions make me a bit nervous when anybody says exceptions *are* narrowly tailored for violence. And then Brandenburg, of course, but it took half a century and the need to protect armed KKK members to get back to having any rights at all. I sent y'all a book chapter about this asking for permission to use some memes. I got a robo-reply, so it should be in someone's queue..

[@ZedrikVonKatmahl]

These "protests" are violent What the hell, FIRE?

[@carolyna.869]

So true! Did you see the video of the cops pushing and attacking Jill Stein with a bike in St. Louis!?? She's in her 70s!! The police violence is out of control. Where were they in 2020???

[@apburner1]

Do you also teach these students that breaking laws and harming others is a part of free speech?

[@Quizoid]

They do not. 1:24

[@carolyna.869]

I'm surprised he isn't discussing the 36 states and now the house of representatives that have violated the first Amendment with their anti-free speech laws saying people cannot say anything negative about Jewish people or Israel. It would be great to hear what he thinks is the impetus for these laws ($$$$$$$) and what effects they will have once more people know about them (hint: they will NOT have the intended effect)! LOL The cat is really out of the bag these days!

[@suzanalbright8670]

FIRE just failed my test. I do not tolerate the intolerant. This is my getting off place.

[@Zayphar]

FIRE means well, but you are correct...supporting free speech does not require one to defend those engaged in a heckler's veto.

[@tobynsaunders]

FIRE *just now* failed your test? When did they ever pass it? It's not like they just suddenly became free speech supporters. It's the one thing that they do.

[@phocion1543]

FIRE passed her test when they defended speech she agrees with but failed her test when they defended speech she disagrees with.

[@Zayphar]

@@phocion1543 Time, Place & Manner violations allow the police to arrest violators without restricting the principle of Free Speech.

[@phocion1543]

@@Zayphar In the video FIRE says that there are such restrictions. ​​⁠​⁠That was not her complaint. Her complaint was that FIRE is tolerating intolerance (i.e. the content of their speech).

[@timcrowley8444]

This is really lame. Were the police called to stop free speech? I don't think so they were called to stop violence and trespassing. This video is horrible.

[@randygault4564]

I gotta say, since the 80s I have been close to an absolutist on free speech. But witnessing the results of propaganda, I'm simply not for it anymore. It's just not worth the cost.

[@jacobscrackers98]

>counter-protest, debate, mockery But what if you don't want to have to deal with all that? What if you just want to get on with your life and/or your studies without having to hear hateful bullshit? The world isn't one giant debate club. I think there should be (voluntary) avenues for such people.

[@tobynsaunders]

"What if you just want to get on with your life and/or your studies without having to hear hateful bullshit?" Then the First Amendment might not be your thing.

[@riffmondo9733]

Not failing. Openly curtailing it. Have been for over 40 years.