1. United States
2. Mo.
3. Letter

The right to freedom of expression is a fundamental human right that should be protected. However, no rights are absolute, and certain forms of expression may be subject to reasonable limitations when they impinge on the rights of others or pose a threat to public safety. It's important to strike a balance between protecting free speech and preventing harm. That said, the ability of banking companies to unilaterally destroy livelihoods based on subjective judgments about art is concerning. Art is a form of expression that challenges boundaries and sparks important dialogues. Excessive corporate censorship could stifle creativity and discourse. Perhaps a more measured approach allowing for case-by-case review by an independent body comprised of diverse stakeholders could help ensure artistic freedom while still addressing clear instances of unlawful content. Exploring alternative payment systems less beholden to traditional corporate interests may also be warranted. The overarching goal should be maximizing expression without enabling genuine dangers.