I'm all for free speech, but the "National Socialist Movement/America's Nazi Party" does not merit a public platform.
Would Toledo have given a permit to the KKK?
And Louis Farrakhan does? I don't agree with the National Socialist Movement/America's Nazi Party message, but the last time I heard, they were Americans. Why does freedom of speech ONLY extend to people we agree with?
I'm all for free speech, but the "National Socialist Movement/America's Nazi Party" does not merit a public platform.
All for speech...yea
Doesnt merit a platform?
Says who?
They have a right to speak and we have a right to ignore them..
Or to Farrakan?
Apparently, this group is KKK with a new name. Toledo has no choice but to allow them to assemble. The constitution guarantees them this right.
The "protestors" were Black Panthers and Anarchists. Looks like Toledo is in for some rocky times.
Opposition Planned to Neo-Nazi March in ToledoThere is always more to the story than the press ever bothers to share, investigate or understand. A classic example of one hate group clashing with another.
On Saturday October 15th, the National Socialist Movement - better known as America's Nazi Party - has announced that they will be marching through North Toledo to "protest black crime." The march route they have chosen takes them directly through a predominantly African-American and Polish community, where residents are preparing to oppose these fascists.
Anti-fascists from the Midwest are planning to join local residents in protesting against this neo-Nazi invasion of a Toldeo neighborhood. A counter-demonstration has been called for 8:30AM at Manhattan Plaza (near Manhattan and Stickney Avenues in the North End). Local anti-fas have received word that they will be joined by members of Anti-Racist Action and other organizations from all over the country.
Organizers of "Erase the Hate", a collaborative effort of 20 area educational, religious, and community organizations, are hoping for public support for their event--a counter-rally some distance for the neo-nazi march. It will be held at noon on Oct. 15 at the Zablocki Senior Center on Lagrange Street.
While it may appear that the NSM is just a fringe group, and that it is not worthwhile to oppose such a group, it is important to note that there is currently a power vacuum in the white power movement. With Matt Hale, the leader of the World Church of the Creator in jail, and the death of William Pierce, the founder and head of the National Alliance, other fascists are feeling lost without any strong leadership. Other white power organizations like the NSM realize that this power vacuum exists and are attempting to fill it. It is for this reason that the NSM will attract fascists of all stripes – in numbers – to their demonstration in Toledo. Neo-Nazis are currently seeking organization, structure, and public organizing – all of which they will be looking to the NSM for on October 15th.
For this reason alone, it is important that anti-fascists show opposition in Toledo. This is not a time that we can we can sit back and ignore the organizing fascists are currently engaging in. We CANNOT give the neo-Nazis any room to organize and recruit. We must not allow the existing power vacuum to be filled. We must be there on October 15th in Toledo to take away any illusion of organization and power the NSM is trying to present. We must stand up and join together, sending a clear message that such activity is not welcome in our communities.
For more information, see One People's Project
For a more humourous take on this event, see Toledo Tales
"I'm all for free speech, but the "National Socialist Movement/America's Nazi Party" does not merit a public platform"............Then I'm sure you feel the same way about Fharrakans march in N.Y. and D.C. as well?
Besides, the protestors in this case appear, as usual, to have their own political and criminal agenda as in looting and mayhem. They are the ones who are operating outside of the law in this case.
Howard Dean ain't much different, and he's chair of the DNC.
I heard equally despicable opinions from the "More Millions" group on the Mall today. And how about the black march organizer that C-Span had on Thursday who called for the "extermination of whites worldwide". Yet these groups continuously get public platforms.
Nazism is the preaching of genocide. Freedom of speech should not apply to people who think it's OK to kill off everyone that's not like them.
"I'm all for free speech, but the "National Socialist Movement/America's Nazi Party" does not merit a public platform.
Would Toledo have given a permit to the KKK?"
Yeah, they probably would have given the KKK a permit.
Free speech, especially for this type of racist group, is really important, because it allows their ideas to be held up to the light of day where the rest of us can see how stupid they are. If we don't allow them to speak, then they become a martyr of sorts.
I loved the "point and laugh" idea that a previous poster had; that's the kind of contempt that racism should be shown.
They do give permission for ANSWER to march, which are just communists with a different peaceful-sounding name. I wish the ANSWER marchers got rocks thrown at them too.