Freedom of Speech

                The topic of discussion for this Constitution Monday is the Freedom of Speech as found in the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.  The First Amendment has been in the news – again/still – because swarms of protesters tried to stop Donald Trump from speaking at the California GOP Convention last Friday. Even as they each are campaigning for the office of President of the United States, Senator Ted Cruz showed his quality when he spoke in defense of Donald Trump, his main rival for the Republican nomination.  Senator Cruz stood in solidarity with his opponent, calling the people protesting against Trump “leftist agitators” had “crossed the line” when they tried “to silence a voice they don’t like.”

                Senator Cruz said, “The First Amendment protects everyone’s right to speak, but you don’t have a right to threaten violence, you don’t have a right to shout down others, and these protesters appear to be trying to use violence and threats…. These are the strategies of MoveOn.org, of the leftist agitators who try to silence a voice they don’t like.”

                “The first Amendment protects everyone’s right to speak, but you don’t have a right to threaten violence, you don’t have a right to shout down others, and these protesters appear to be trying to use violence and threats.  … These are the strategies of MoveOn.org, of the leftist agitators who try to silence a voice they don’t like.”  He called the California protests “not acceptable” and “inappropriate” because they attempt to “muzzle others.”