I think it's more like speaking up when somebody is harangued and bullied is the right thing to do. You don't curtail their free speech, you just tell them that

I think it's more like speaking up when somebody is harangued and bullied is the right thing to do. You don't curtail their free speech, you just tell them that "my friend over here is not a racist, what you're saying is bullshit, and I have his back; please continue". But it is also a courageous thing to do, because then you will stand there harangued and bullied, and spat upon, the same as your friend and colleague. The "safe space" they accuse Chodosh of not providing is necessarily a metaphor — it wouldn't make much sense if taken literally.