Before I begin defending white supremacists' right to free speech, I'd like to say that I am not defending their views, but rather attacking people who justify physically harm to silence opposing opinions. (I'm looking at you, ANTIFA)
No matter how much you disagree with a person, you can never hit them. If you believe that someone's ideology is wrong, defeat them with better ideas. Show them why they are wrong instead of attempting to silence them. Yes, we saw the evil that Nazism brought into our world in the 20th century. So show them why an ideology based on the idea that Aryans are the superior race is ineffective and harmful.
ANTIFA, which stands for anti-fascists, is a collection of wannabe vigilantes who failed the entrance exam to Police Academy. Just kidding. But in reality, it's a group of private citizens who fight other private citizens who choose to exercise their 1st amendment right to free speech. Dear ANTIFA: It is not your duty to physically hurt Nazis. Neither is it the police's, really. Unless you want to start pushing for thought-crime and laws that ban speech, which is what some of these anti-Nazi groups are doing.
~Here's a little example of what happens when government decides to listen to people like ANTIFA and silence opposing views instead of allowing space for challenging opinions~
It's already been achieved in Canada, where under Bill C-16, you can be prosecuted for refusing to use someone's preferred pronouns. Idiotic. I'm sorry, but forcing people to use Ze, Zim, Zerp, Ziggy, and Zorp to 'respect' others is disgusting. Yes, as a private citizen, you can offer someone the COURTESY and RESPECT of using preferred pronouns, but the idea that government can step in and FORCE RESPECT is horrible. What everyone needs to understand is that some people don't subscribe to the belief of an undefined number of genders. And it's their right to use language however they want to.
~Back to America, because Canada technically doesn't have an absolute free speech law~
The freedom of speech is taken for granted too often in America. We are allowed to criticize our leadership without punishment, where in Thailand, you can be jailed for insulting the King. But why then, are people wanting to take away free speech in the name of safety?
I'm sorry, but safety is a sorry excuse for blocking out opposing ideas. If we allow people to be trapped in a fishbowl of safe ideas, then how are we supposed to be critical thinkers in our society? Instead of punching Nazis, try starting dialogue with the other side.
So let's say after reading this article you still use the logic: My ideas are better, so I can punch people I disagree with. Let's apply that to Nazis, then. Because they disagree with you, and also believe that they are better, so they can punch you. What's the point of the police then? Just have private citizens attempt to silence the opposing side by using violence. It's disgusting. You're not a hero for punching a Nazi. You're a lazy private citizen who would rather silence the enemy than fight them with proof. Stop punching Nazis, and start debating them.