• SHITPOSTING_ACCOUNT@feddit.de
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    1 year ago

    Most European countries do have free speech protections, but with much more limitations than in the US. (IIRC the US would also not allow e.g. speech calling for a lynch mob, as long as it's specific enough.)

    Various forms of hate speech, including support for terrorist organizations, are covered by those. Terrorist usually isn't just what the government dislikes; it usually requires (or is subject to review by) a court decision.

    There are obvious arguments against such rules, but there are very few social benefits to letting people support literal child murdering terrorists, call for the lynching of certain groups of people, claim that the Holocaust never happened and should be repeated (sic), or just march up and down the street in Nazi uniforms showing off their right arms much to the dismay of any survivors, their descendants, and the people who would be next on the list.

    The main risk is the government abusing its power to ban all anti-government protests. Europe has decided that this risk is small enough with all checks and balances in place to be worth the social benefit. The US has decided otherwise.

    • mwguy@infosec.pub
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      1 year ago

      IIRC the US would also not allow e.g. speech calling for a lynch mob, as long as it's specific enough.

      Participation in a lynvh mob is illegal, but calling for one I don't believe has been tested in court and would likely not pass judicial review (IANAL).

      • Wodge@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Trump has been calling for violence regarding his many court cases, and has since been put under a gag order. Calls for violence do not seem to be protected under the 1st amendment.

        • mwguy@infosec.pub
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          1 year ago

          You can't loose your rights in the US without due process. Trump is under a gag order after a valid due process made it so.