1. United States
2. Minn.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep concern about recent attempts to criminalize hate speech, particularly the statements made by former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi. Her proposal to equate hate speech with incitement to violence is not only misguided but poses a significant threat to our First Amendment rights. As you are aware, the First Amendment protects even offensive speech, including hate speech. The Supreme Court has consistently upheld this principle, recognizing that the freedom to express unpopular opinions is fundamental to our democracy. The distinction between hate speech and incitement to imminent lawless action is crucial and well-established in constitutional law. Bondi's attempt to conflate these two concepts is dangerous and could lead to a slippery slope of censorship. If implemented, such policies would not only violate our constitutional rights but also potentially silence legitimate dissent and public discourse. Moreover, it's important to note the irony in this situation. While some politicians claim to be protecting public safety, we are witnessing an alarming increase in actual threats of violence, calls for civil war, and instances of doxxing, primarily originating from right-wing groups. Armed right-wing militias marching through our streets pose a far more tangible threat to public safety than the abstract notion of hate speech. I urge you to speak out against any attempts to criminalize constitutionally protected speech. Instead, focus on addressing the real threats to our democracy: actual incitement to violence, regardless of its political origin. We need our representatives to uphold the Constitution and protect the bedrock principles of free speech that have served our nation for centuries. Please take a strong stand in defense of the First Amendment. Oppose any legislation that seeks to criminalize hate speech and instead support measures that address genuine threats to public safety while preserving our fundamental right to free expression. Our democracy depends on your commitment to these principles.