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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

    • KCRW placeholder

      Eric Segall

      Georgia State University

    • KCRW placeholder

      Samuel Walker

      University of Nebraska Omaha

      NewsNationalPolitics
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