According to Cornell Law School, "Freedom of speech is the right to speak, write, and share ideas and opinions without facing punishment from the government. The First Amendment protects this right by prohibiting Congress from making laws that would curtail freedom of speech.
Even though freedom of speech is protected from infringement by the government, the government is still free to restrict speech in certain circumstances. Some of these circumstances include:"
- Obscenity and Indecency
- Defamation
- Incitement
- Fighting Words
This could include a president inciting violent riots using fighting words on capital hill.
This could be a student defaming an entire ethno religious group, inciting violence, and causing destruction.
Or this could be a KKK member who defames minorities, and incites violence through fighting words.
According to the First Amendment website, "Although the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution makes no distinction between citizens and non-citizens, Supreme Court precedents interpreting the amendment do not always treat these groups the same."
It goes onto explain that, "The USA Patriot Act of 2001 targeted certain speech and association activities by noncitizens in the immigration context. Under the act, aliens may be deported for fund-raising for, providing support to, or associating with groups deemed to be terrorist organizations by the U.S. government. It also excludes entry to aliens who endorse or espouse terrorism or support such groups."
Hamas (and Hizbollah) have been recognized terror organizations by the United States federal government since October 8, 1997.
When persons, especially those staying in America on a visa, vocally and visually associate with and support US designated terror organizations they then can be subjected to loss of rights. This includes free speech, up to and often including deportation.
The first amendment is a unique rule of law that America possesses. It is not a universal rule of thought, especially, but not limited to, middle eastern countries and other totalitarian countries. Women, LGBTQ individuals, secularists and anti-regimists are all persecuted groups. Anyone nonconforming or questioning the status quo could be beaten, humiliated, or even killed. In some places for something as small as uncovering your hair or wanting to go grocery shopping (unchaperoned). If you actually say the dissent... You'll see the dungeons in Syria or the gallows in Iran.
To come to America, the land of the free, and spout terrorist ideology and call for the fall of western civilization is abhorrent.
No. Not everyone is being "rounded up".
But No. They shouldn't be snatched off the streets by undercover agents either. Especially women. (I personally think there should be at least one woman present to ensure the woman being arrested is still treated and handled fairly.)
Using the power of free speech is a unique privelage entrusted to a very bold and opinionated people. We must protect it, but ensure its simultaneously not being abused in order to take down America from within.
Don't support terror, cuz America doesn't negotiate with terrorists.
Bibliography:
1. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/freedom_of_speech#:~:text=The%20First%20Amendment%20protects%20this,restrict%20speech%20in%20certain%20circumstances.
2. https://firstamendment.mtsu.edu/article/aliens/
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