Quote:We are not talking about obstruction, but merely voicing an opinion. I also support the rights of leftist protesters to voice their opinions. There has been a continual peaceful protest here in Minnesota outside a defense contractor site since the Vietnam war, and only occasionally does anyone get arrested (usually for trespass). I do believe that protesters who try to create "barriers" should be arrested. In a public debate, all the voices should be heard. I don't promote rude behavior, but I certainly don't want to outlaw it either. You might as well also pass a law banning bad grammar, or bad diction.In general, I agree with you. Free speech is important enough that I'm willing to go further than the countries I live in to defend it. UK libel and slander laws, for instance, are completely absurd, and have a major chilling effect on everyone except the tabloids, who flaunt the fact that they're not worth suing.
However, many countries are also quite protective of the idea that people have a right to live their lives free of harassment. Voicing your opinion is usually protected, but "voicing your opinion" in the sense of crowding around abortion clinics and shouting at women and doctors that they are murderers is crossing a line from peaceful protest to some species of verbal assault. At what point does this become obstruction? What about the implied threat of violence against abortion clinics that becomes real every few years? These protests don't just create debate. They can also create fear.
Likewise, many countries are very touchy about the history of disadvantaged groups. Germany is, for historically obvious reasons, but many other European countries are as well, and therefore have laws against inciting hatred for those groups. To them, this is "shouting fire in a crowded theatre" - free speech too far. Once gays are included in the protected groups, that puts a certain stripe of Christians in a tough position - but not more than anti-racism laws would create problems for an old-school "Jews killed Christ" or "Cursed sons of Ham" Christian in the past.
I stand with the right to speak. But I understand why countries pass these laws, and the results aren't really that objectionable, except in principle.
-Jester