#free-speech

#free-speech

Today is Constitution Day, marking the Sept. 17, 1787, signing of the Constitution by the 39 delegates at the Constitutional Convention who had written its words. And 238 years later, we face the worst assault on the constitutional rights protecting academic freedom in all of American history. In less than nine months, Donald Trump's administration has engaged in more unconstitutional actions attacking free expression in higher education than all of the 44 previous presidents combined.

"Freedom of speech is sacred in our country, and we will never impede upon that right," "My intention was to speak about threats of violence that individuals incite against others," "Under President Trump, the Department of Justice will be unabashed in our efforts to root out credible, violent threats. We will investigate organizations that pursue illegal activities, engage in political violence, violate our civil rights, and commit tax or nonprofit fraud."

Matthew Dowd, a political analyst for MSNBC, was the first high-profile personality to suffer consequences for commenting on Charlie Kirk's shooting in Utah last week: During a broadcast following Kirk's murder in front of students gathered at Utah Valley University, Dowd referenced some of the controversial statements Kirk, a strident conservative activist and MAGA supporter, had made in the past. "Hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions," Dowd said. "You can't stop with these sort of awful thoughts you have and then saying these awful words and then not expect awful actions to take place." MSNBC apologized for the comments and fired Dowd almost immediately.

Some outlets interpreted Sotomayor's remarks as directly aimed at Pam Bondi, Stetson Law's most regrettable export, who declared the administration would use the Kirk killing as a pretext to crack down on "hate speech." But since Sotomayor said, "representative," she likely intended to cast a broader net in the direction of Capitol Hill. That said, the former Florida attorney general has made a career out of proving that a J.D. is not an inoculation against constitutional illiteracy, so the shoe fits.

The assassination of Charlie Kirk should have been a moment of pause. However one felt about the brash conservative provocateur and free speech advocate, his killing was shocking and sobering. The instinct in a healthy civic culture would be to stop, to grieve, to allow space for shock before the machinery of politics whirred back to life. That instinct has all but vanished. Instead, Kirk's death became instant fodder for partisanship.

"Look at the way in which Tommy Robinson sort of fawned on Musk, look at the way in which Farage fawns about Trump, that, you know, they're seeking to turn this country into sort of little MAGA Britain. "We need to be just much clearer in calling out that this is in whatever shape or form, a form of extraterritorial interference into our democratic culture... which they would never tolerate in the US."

Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Department of Justice is considering bringing charges after a now-fired Office Depot employee refused to print flyers advertising a vigil for Charlie Kirk. We're looking at that, she said on Fox News on Monday night. Kirk was assassinated last Wednesday while speaking at Utah Valley University. Police have arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson in connection with the shooting. Authorities have released few details about a possible motive.

U.S. democracy has always been fragile, and we are now witnessing its dismantlement. The rising tide of political violence poses one threat to democracy in this country, but another quieter threat is also hard at work via the erosion of free speech and critical thinking, both of which are necessary for a flourishing democracy. Trump's book bans and attacks on opposing political ideas, the blocking of independent journalism, the intimidation of news organizations, and the defunding of public media are all part of this erosion.

There's an attempt right now to basically say, if you shut up, you will be safe. And if you speak out politically, there's a good shot that some unhinged actor is going to take that as a threat and then come and try and kill you, Shapiro said, adding: Yeah, I mean, there will be. I've told my security team I will never again do an outdoor event.

Wednesday saw a moment without precedent in recent history: A college speaker shot to death on a campus during an event. That fact alone would've escalated growing concerns about the future of free speech and civil discourse at colleges and universities. But this speaker was Charlie Kirk, a prominent ally of a U.S. president who was already crusading against higher ed.

Individuals should not be mistreated for their identity or opinions, but the government of Israel and of the Zionist movement are fair game for criticism. I support the existence of Israel, but I am deeply troubled by the actions of the Israeli government in Gaza over the past 23 months and its Jewish settlements in the West Bank over many years, which make self-government nearly impossible for Palestinians. Jewish people should have their safety and rights protected but so should Palestinians.

However, I oppose the proposed law (AB 715), based on hearing it equates criticism of Israel or Zionism with antisemitism. Individuals should not be mistreated for their identity or opinions, but the government of Israel and of the Zionist movement are fair game for criticism. I support the existence of Israel, but I am deeply troubled by the actions of the Israeli government in Gaza over the past 23 months and its Jewish settlements in the West Bank over many years,

The fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk at a Utah college event has put a spotlight on tensions over free speech at universities, where conservatives, including President Trump, have said campuses are intolerant of right-wing speakers and thought. Kirk, a Trump ally widely credited for revitalizing Republican movements among college students, was speaking before thousands at Utah Valley University when he was shot in the neck.

"When this comedian I was not very familiar with made those horrific comments about punching trans individuals, I obviously am deeply offended by that, just as I've been offended when someone makes comments about hating Indian Americans or telling Indian people to go back to India," he said.

Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. For days now, the Florida Highway Patrol has been stationed in the parking lot of an Orlando Dunkin' Donuts. Their mission: Stop chalk-wielding activists from restoring a rainbow crosswalk that, until it was erased overnight by the Florida Department of Transportation two weeks ago, commemorated the 2017 mass shooting at the adjacent Pulse nightclub.

The health secretary said such laws had put "more expectation on police" and "diluted the focus and priorities of the public", adding "that's obviously something we need to look at". Streeting told the BBC it was "very easy for people to criticise police" who were only enforcing laws that had been passed by MPs, saying ministers wanted police to focus on street crime rather than posts on social media.

Former UK deputy prime minister Sir Nick Clegg has accused right-wing US politicians, including JD Vance, of "rank hypocrisy" for attacking UK speech laws while silencing dissent at home. Since coming to office this year, the US vice president has repeatedly criticised measures like the UK's Online Safety Act and claimed free speech in Europe was "in retreat". Sir Nick accused Vance of an "outrageous double standard" for attacking UK free speech laws while trying to "intimidate and bully" critics.