A User’s Guide to the 1st Amendment: Is Hate Speech Protected?

Program Type:

Speaker or Forum

Age Group:

Teens, Adults, Seniors
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Program Description

Event Details

What is free speech, what is hate speech, and how does the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States govern the boundaries of the two? Attempts to censor constitutionally-protected hate speech have been ineffective so where does that leave us?

With a working definition and examples of hate speech, we’ll investigate the legal limits placed on our freedom of expression.

In this series on “Defining and Responding to Hate Speech,” we will examine the phenomenon of hate speech, and effective responses to this destructive trend in our community, popular culture, and American civic discourse. Co-organized by FVRLibraries and Circle of Peace, a local initiative of diverse citizens seeking to bring together people across religious, ethnic, and cultural divides and to strengthen the common bond of humanity.

Join us for the rest of the series:

  • Oct 28, 6-8 pm - Hate Speech: Who Benefits?
  • Nov 18, 6-8 pm - Hate Speech: How to Respond

Note

Library events and programs are open to the public and provided at no cost. Special accommodations may be requested using our Disability Accommodation Request Form no later than 15 days prior to the event.

Los eventos y programas de la biblioteca están abiertos al público y se brindan sin costo. Se pueden solicitar adaptaciones especiales utilizando nuestro formulario de solicitud de adaptaciones para personas con discapacidades (en inglés) hasta 15 días antes del evento.