After further reading, I have learned that the neo-Nazi group walked down the sidewalks in a neighborhood where many minority families live -- OK, though provocative -- and shouted insults at the people who lived there -- not OK. Racist baiting and inflammatory insults are not, strictly speaking, protected speech, as political speech is protected. They are not criminal, either, unless they reach the point of actual threats.
Still, your depiction of a group of gentlemen taking a stroll down the street in protest over violence by another group is not only inaccurate in view of who neo-Nazis are and what they represent, but also in view of how they acted. They pushed to the very edge of inciting to riot without going over the line. They left civil behavior in the dust the minute they opened their mouths.
I can't excuse the rioters, because one bad deed doesn't justify another.
Investigations will reveal much more about this sorry display.
Current Events » in reply to If people walking down a street provokes someone, who does that reflect badly on?
If people walking down the street yell insults at the people who live there, who does *that* reflect badly on?
The whole thread (43 posts)
- Holy Toledo.
- Nazis are entitled to demonstrate in this country (to the extent that anyone is)
- More on this, by Chris Maag of Time
- well Lee, when it comes to dealing with Nazis -
- Are neo-Nazis also savages, Lee? (n/t)
- Nazis are ALL savages! (n/t)
- But they still have a right to assemble and be heard.
- Not when their presence will incite a riot.
- As much as I hate to say this, you're right, they do.
- They represent hatred, so I don't think they do have a right.
- The meantime
- If people walking down a street provokes someone, who does that reflect badly on?
- But they still have a right to assemble and be heard.
- They were perfectly civil in this case.
- Nazis are ALL savages! (n/t)