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Back to To the Point

To the Point

The ACLU when free speech turns violent

"I may hate what you say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it."  Some version of that old saying could be the motto of the American Civil Liberties Union. Most recently, it sued to protect the rights of white racists to rally in Charlottesville -- but since the protest turned deadly, there's been a backlash.

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By Warren Olney • Aug 23, 2017 • 1 min read

"I may hate what you say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it." Some version of that old saying could be the motto of the American Civil Liberties Union. Most recently, it sued to protect the rights of white racists to rally in Charlottesville -- but since the protest turned deadly, there's been a backlash. Even some ACLU members have resigned, and the organization's on the defensive about the limits of free speech. Are America's constitutional protections too broad? Do they conflict with the right to bear arms? We hear about rules in Germany where free speech led to tyranny.

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    Warren Olney

    former KCRW broadcaster

  • KCRW placeholder

    Katie Cooper

    Producer, 'One year Later'

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    Yael Even Or

    Producer, 'Press Play'

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    Evan George

    Director of Content, News

  • KCRW placeholder

    David D. Cole

    American Civil Liberties Union / Georgetown University

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    Eric Segall

    Georgia State University

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    Samuel Walker

    University of Nebraska Omaha

    NewsNationalPolitics
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