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'''Free speech''' is the right to express your opinions out loud, in public or private, in print, by mail, or online.  It is essential to [[democracy]], and along with the [[Second Amendment|right to keep and bear arms]] is the greatest deterrent to [[tyranny]].  The [[United States]] is unique in protecting a full right of free political speech under the [[First Amendment]].

'''Free speech''' is the right to express your opinions out loud, in public or private, in print, by mail, or online.  It is essential to [[democracy]], and along with the [[Second Amendment|right to keep and bear arms]] is the greatest deterrent to [[tyranny]].  The [[United States]] is unique in protecting a full right of free political speech under the [[First Amendment]].

[[Leftists]] are the biggest opponents of free speech,<ref name="Flip-flopped">Williams, Thomas D. (July 1, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/07/01/williams-why-liberals-have-flip-flopped-on-free-speech/ Williams: Why Liberals Have Flip-Flopped on Free Speech]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 1, 2018.</ref> as they demand [[liberal censorship]] of views they do not like, especially [[Christian]], [[patriot]], [[conservative]], or [[libertarian]] ones.  Such views are often demonized in the [[liberal media]] with its [[media bias]].  Ironically, however, Leftists used free speech to orchestrate the French Revolution by publishing damaging lies against King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette,<ref>''Demonic'' by Ann Coulter</ref> as well as ensure the promotion and domination of destructive ideologies such as Communism and Socialism during the Free Speech Movement of 1964, along with promoting leftist ideology in general through free speech.<ref name="Flip-flopped"/>  Generally, the Left only favors free speech when it is convenient for them, but they are quick to demand that anyone who simply disagrees with their views and opinions be stripped of the right to free speech and, in violation of the [[First Amendment]], illegally try to do so through corrupt liberal public officials and leftist activists with the use of deceit (including false claims of "[[hate speech]]"<ref>[http://thefederalist.com/2017/04/20/sorry-college-kids-theres-no-thing-hate-speech/ Sorry, College Kids, There’s No Such Thing As Hate Speech] at the Federalist</ref>), threats, intimidation and criminal tactics.<ref>[https://aclj.org/free-speech-2/bloggers-free-speech-rights-under-attack Bloggers’ Free Speech Rights Under Attack] at ACLJ.org</ref><ref>[https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2015/05/10/the_lefts_crusade_against_free_speech_126535.html The Left's Crusade Against Free Speech] at Real Clear Politics</ref><ref>[http://thefederalist.com/2015/05/20/lgbt-activists-arm-for-further-war-on-free-speech/ LGBT Activists Arm For Further War On Free Speech] at the Federalist</ref><ref name="free speech">[https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2016/04/11/attorney-generals-conspire-free-speech-schneiderman-harris-exxon-cei-column/82878218/ Dear attorneys general, conspiring against free speech is a crime: Glenn Reynolds] at USA Today</ref>  In fact, federal law makes it illegal for anyone to conspire to suppress free speech or any other freedoms enjoyed by the public under the Constitution or federal law,<ref name="free speech"/> although leftists in the public sphere have gone out of their way to ignore such laws as not being convenient to their goals.

[[Leftists]] are the biggest opponents of free speech,<ref name="Flip-flopped">Williams, Thomas D. (July 1, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/07/01/williams-why-liberals-have-flip-flopped-on-free-speech/ Williams: Why Liberals Have Flip-Flopped on Free Speech]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 1, 2018.</ref> as they demand [[liberal censorship]] of views they do not like, especially [[Christian]], [[patriot]], [[conservative]], or [[libertarian]] ones.  Such views are often demonized in the [[liberal media]] with its [[media bias]].  Ironically, however, Leftists used free speech to orchestrate the French Revolution by publishing damaging lies against King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette,<ref>''Demonic'' by Ann Coulter</ref> as well as ensure the promotion and domination of destructive ideologies such as Communism and Socialism during the Free Speech Movement of 1964, along with promoting leftist ideology in general through free speech.<ref name="Flip-flopped"/>  Generally, the Left only favors free speech when it is convenient for them, but they are quick to demand that anyone who simply disagrees with their views and opinions be stripped of the right to free speech and, in violation of the [[First Amendment]] (or similar laws guaranteeing free speech in other countries, such as Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms), illegally try to do so through corrupt liberal public officials and leftist activists with the use of deceit (including false claims of "[[hate speech]]"<ref>[http://thefederalist.com/2017/04/20/sorry-college-kids-theres-no-thing-hate-speech/ Sorry, College Kids, There’s No Such Thing As Hate Speech] at the Federalist</ref><ref name="Bill Whatcott">[http://massresistance.org/docs/gen3/18b/Bill-Whatcott-arrest-warrant/index.html Pro-family activist in Canada under bizarre nationwide arrest warrant -- for passing out ‘anti-LGBT’ flyers] at [[MassResistance]]</ref>), threats, intimidation and criminal tactics.<ref name="Whatcott false charge">[http://massresistance.org/docs/gen3/18b/Bill-Whatcott-arrest-warrant/in-custody.html Outrageous: Canadian activist Bill Whatcott endured abuse in jail because of his pro-family stand] at MassResistance</ref><ref>[https://aclj.org/free-speech-2/bloggers-free-speech-rights-under-attack Bloggers’ Free Speech Rights Under Attack] at ACLJ.org</ref><ref>[https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2015/05/10/the_lefts_crusade_against_free_speech_126535.html The Left's Crusade Against Free Speech] at Real Clear Politics</ref><ref>[http://thefederalist.com/2015/05/20/lgbt-activists-arm-for-further-war-on-free-speech/ LGBT Activists Arm For Further War On Free Speech] at the Federalist</ref><ref name="free speech">[https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2016/04/11/attorney-generals-conspire-free-speech-schneiderman-harris-exxon-cei-column/82878218/ Dear attorneys general, conspiring against free speech is a crime: Glenn Reynolds] at USA Today</ref>  In fact, federal law makes it illegal for anyone to conspire to suppress free speech or any other freedoms enjoyed by the public under the Constitution or federal law,<ref name="free speech"/> although leftists in the public sphere have gone out of their way to ignore such laws as not being convenient to their goals.

Free speech is threatened by "hate speech" codes favored by the Left which define certain types of statements as "[[hate crime]]s" (as defined by liberal politicians).  While supposedly protecting vulnerable groups (such as "questioning gay teens") from verbal abuse, rules and laws provide no clear distinction between "hurtful" speech and simply expressing one's opinion.  Religious people, accordingly, worry that hate crimes legislation in America will be used to stop preachers and others from saying out loud or in print that homosexuality is evil.

Free speech is threatened by "hate speech" codes favored by the Left which define certain types of statements as "[[hate crime]]s" (as defined by liberal politicians).  While supposedly protecting vulnerable groups (such as "questioning gay teens") from verbal abuse, rules and laws provide no clear distinction between "hurtful" speech and simply expressing one's opinion.  Religious people, accordingly, worry that "hate crimes" legislation in America will be used to stop preachers and others from saying out loud or in print that homosexuality is evil, dangerous and basically anti-life.

Not every form of expression is protected as free speech.  For example, statements connected with unlawful conduct are typically illegal.

Not every form of expression is protected as free speech.  For example, statements connected with unlawful conduct are typically illegal.

*In January 2018, Canadian prime minister [[Justin Trudeau]] claimed that [[pro-life]] speech is not protected speech. When asked on where the Canadian government limits free speech, Trudeau mentioned abortion, stating that "an organization that has the explicit purpose of restricting women’s rights by removing rights to abortion, the right for women to control their own bodies, is not in line with where we are as a government and quite frankly where we are as a society."<ref>Richardson, Bradford (January 13, 2018). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/jan/13/justin-trudeau-canadian-prime-minister-scolds-pro-/ Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau scolds pro-lifers as ‘not in line’ with society]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved January 13, 2018.</ref><ref>Laurence, Lianne (January 13, 2018). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/trudeau-believe-what-you-want-but-we-draw-the-line-if-you-try-to-restrict-a Trudeau: Believe what you want, but ‘we draw the line’ if you try to restrict abortion]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved January 13, 2018.</ref> Similarly, while Trudeau funded a left-wing group protesting a pipeline because of "free speech", he refused to fund any organizations opposed to abortion and the [[homosexual agenda]].<ref>Tennant, Michael (April 26, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/north-america/item/28927-trudeau-free-speech-demands-funding-pipeline-protesters-but-not-pro-lifers Trudeau: “Free Speech” Demands Funding Pipeline Protesters but Not Pro-Lifers]. ''The New American''. Retrieved April 26, 2018.</ref>

*In January 2018, Canadian prime minister [[Justin Trudeau]] claimed that [[pro-life]] speech is not protected speech. When asked on where the Canadian government limits free speech, Trudeau mentioned abortion, stating that "an organization that has the explicit purpose of restricting women’s rights by removing rights to abortion, the right for women to control their own bodies, is not in line with where we are as a government and quite frankly where we are as a society."<ref>Richardson, Bradford (January 13, 2018). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/jan/13/justin-trudeau-canadian-prime-minister-scolds-pro-/ Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau scolds pro-lifers as ‘not in line’ with society]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved January 13, 2018.</ref><ref>Laurence, Lianne (January 13, 2018). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/trudeau-believe-what-you-want-but-we-draw-the-line-if-you-try-to-restrict-a Trudeau: Believe what you want, but ‘we draw the line’ if you try to restrict abortion]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved January 13, 2018.</ref> Similarly, while Trudeau funded a left-wing group protesting a pipeline because of "free speech", he refused to fund any organizations opposed to abortion and the [[homosexual agenda]].<ref>Tennant, Michael (April 26, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/north-america/item/28927-trudeau-free-speech-demands-funding-pipeline-protesters-but-not-pro-lifers Trudeau: “Free Speech” Demands Funding Pipeline Protesters but Not Pro-Lifers]. ''The New American''. Retrieved April 26, 2018.</ref>

*The Canadian province of [[Ontario]], under the Ontario Liberal government of premier [[Kathleen Wynne]], illegally enacted a bill in 2017, in violation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, that banned pro-life speech around abortion clinics.<ref>Laurence, Lianne (February 21, 2018). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/70-year-old-man-becomes-first-arrest-under-ontarios-new-ban-on-pro-life-spe 70-year-old man first to be arrested under Ontario’s new ban on pro-life speech]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved March 4, 2018.</ref>

*The Canadian province of [[Ontario]], under the Ontario Liberal government of premier [[Kathleen Wynne]], illegally enacted a bill in 2017, in violation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, that banned pro-life speech around abortion clinics.<ref>Laurence, Lianne (February 21, 2018). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/70-year-old-man-becomes-first-arrest-under-ontarios-new-ban-on-pro-life-spe 70-year-old man first to be arrested under Ontario’s new ban on pro-life speech]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved March 4, 2018.</ref>

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