14
Right to Express Your Views and Hear the Views of Others
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution and similar provisions in state constitutions and laws prohibit the government from restricting your right to express your beliefs , thoughts , ideas , and emotions , and to hear what other people have to say .
Accordingly , public institutions , including public universities , generally cannot prevent speech simply because the message causes discomfort , fear , or even anger among audience members . This is true even where the speech is objectively offensive and hateful .
To illustrate the scope of that protection , consider two recent examples :
For almost two decades , a small group of demonstrators has gathered every week to “ protest ” near a synagogue in Ann Arbor , Michigan , holding up signs with antisemitic messages , including : “ Resist Jewish Power ” and “ Jewish Power Corrupts .” Despite the clearly offensive nature of the speech , a federal court explained , the First Amendment prohibits the police from intervening to stop the protests .
A Christian evangelical group demonstrated at the annual Arab International Festival in Dearborn , Michigan with signs proclaiming that Mohammed was a false prophet , and that Muslims would be damned to hell if they failed to repent and abandon Islam . Despite the provocative nature of the demonstration and the furious reaction from festival attendees , a federal court emphasized that the police could not prohibit the protest . The court explained that public institutions must protect speakers from violent reactions , not an offended public from inflammatory speakers .