Blog 1.1: ACLU at Charlottesville

Blog #1: ACLU's Stance on Racism at Charlottesville

Sarah Liu

1. What exactly does the ACLU advocate for?
The ACLU serves all people no matter their stance on issues and works to defend and advocate the people's freedom of speech.

2. How did the ACLU get involved in Charlottesville?

The city of Charlottesville had attempted to revoke the protest permit of one of the white-nationalist rally organizers, Jason Kessler. The ACLU stepped in to defend his right to protest in court.

3. Why have liberals increasingly backed the ACLU in the last year?

After Trump's election, the ACLU vowed to hold his administration accountable in court for the prejudices it has committed against the American people.

4. What argument does the ACLU make about governments and free speech?

Despite wide criticism over the ACLU's defense of the protest in Charlottesville, the organization argued that no matter the case, free speech is a right guaranteed to everyone. Without the protection of free speech, civil rights advocacy could be shut down because often, the government disagrees with the activists; therefore, gov't should "never be allowed to police free speech based on its content."

5. What does the article argue is the danger in allowing free speech of white nationalists?

Allowing white nationalists free speech may promote their way of thinking, making their group stronger and more popular.

6. Under what circumstance did the ACLU first start defending the free speech rights of hate groups?

The first major case the ACLU supported (and won) was the National Socialist Party of America v. VIllage of Skokie. A group of neo-Nazi marchers declared a march in Skokie, a predominately Jewish community with Holocaust survivors. Lower courts tried to block the protests, leading the ACLU to defend the neo-Nazis and their right to free speech and protest despite their hateful message.  

7. Why is the ACLU's defense of Milo Yiannopoulos so controversial?

Milo is a well-known misogynist who has targeted Muslims, the LGBTQ community, immigrants, and other groups. His words and actions are incredibly hurtful, but the ACLU is obligated to defend his civil rights.