> The classic example is yelling "fire!" in a movie theater because people might get hurt. This commonly brought up example is a complete garbage. It was firs

> The classic example is yelling "fire!" in a movie theater because people might get hurt. This commonly brought up example is a complete garbage. It was first brought into American jurisprudence during WWI In fact, this case illustrates exactly why we ought not to criminalize speech. The phrase first entered American jurisprudence in Eugene v Debs (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene_V._Debs https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene_V._Debs), in which the government tried to prosecute an anti-war protester. Do you think the anti-war guy was popular in his time? Do you understand now why the government has no business policing speech? In the United States, short of direct threats, you can always say whatever you want. It's a fundamental human right, and frankly, no government has a moral right to take that away. This idea is foundational to American democracy. FFS, civil rights group will defend your right to proclaim 'hate speech' in