Keep controls on free-speech rights

The First Amendment to the Constitution guarantees the right of free speech and the right to peaceably assemble.

Many read this Amendment as an absolute right. Not true. If free speech is an incitement to riot, it is not protected, and yelling fire in a crowded theater is not protected free speech, either.

Many of the neo-Nazis and KKK marchers in Charlottesville, Virginia, came equipped with automatic weapons, clubs, helmets, shields and mace. They were not there to march peaceably, but to incite a riot. Their chants reflecting both Nazi slogans and KKK racist slogans were intended to intimidate and are equivalent to yelling fire in a crowded theater.

Communities have denied these groups local permits to march because of the high potential of violence caused by the alt-right marchers. They then appeal this decision in federal court on the basis that their First Amendment rights are being denied. And they win

While local communities have the right to protect their citizens, their officials are forced to issue a permit to march, One solution is to require that these alt-rights groups post a bond equal to the complete cost of providing the extra police protection, which has been proven to be necessary in some locations. The bond is forfeited should their march cause any violence.

This allows First Amendment rights for these alt-right groups while helping to insure safety for local citizens.

Robert Frankel

Schaumburg