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Want to know what is on our minds? Find blog posts written here, by the City Club staff, members, and partners. Every week you can find a new edition of #FreeSpeech in the News — a collection of related stories, commentary, and opinions on free speech in the 21st century that’s making the news. You’ll also find takes on current events, past forums, and issues surrounding Northeast Ohio. Read on for all things City Club.

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Monday, September 25, 2017

#FreeSpeech in the News: September 25, 2017

#FreeSpeech in the News: September 25, 2017

As the Citadel of Free Speech here in Cleveland, we work to protect and promote the basis of our democracy by sharing related stories, commentary, and opinions on free speech in the 21st century. Here's what's making the news – and what you should know about – in the past week.

“The law doesn't actually change what's considered hate speech in Germany. No new offences are created. The law simply cites sections of the German Criminal Code which details illegal speech online. The categories range from forming terrorist organisations’, to the much vaguer ‘defamation of religions, religious and ideological associations.’”

Will Germany's new law kill free speech online?, BBC

“A fifth of undergrads now say it’s acceptable to use physical force to silence a speaker who makes ‘offensive and hurtful statements.’”

A chilling study shows how hostile college students are toward free speech, The Washington Post

“It’s clear that millennials and students aren’t all that special in their aversion to the First Amendment. Misunderstanding about one of our most basic freedoms runs deep in our society.”

Students Aren't The Only Ones Who Don't Understand Free Speech, Forbes

“But the reality is that when the press is free to criticize political leaders — like, say, President Trump — it invariably engenders a measure of distrust from people who are defensive of their favorite politicians and who might be encouraged by said politicians to dismiss any negative coverage as fake news conjured by reporters who don't really love America.”

The press is really popular in places where it’s most restricted, The Washington Post

“It means that you have a right to speak your mind.
It does not mean that you can't face consequences for doing so.
It means you can say vile, bizarre or offensive things without worrying about the government throwing you in jail.
It does not mean that you are guaranteed to an $86,000-a-year paycheck, regardless of how you behave.”

The First Amendment does not give you blanket protection for vile social media behavior, Chicago Tribune

“The case of a baker in Colorado who refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple has been added to the Supreme Court’s docket for this fall, but thousands of New York Times readers have already weighed in on the debate, which centered on the protections of free speech.”

‘The Politics of Nondiscrimination Have Gone Too Far’: Readers Debate Free Speech, The New York Times

“The group was canceling plans for the events, which had been expected to begin Sunday and end Wednesday, solely because of the actions of the university, Marguerite Melo wrote.”

UC-Berkeley says ‘Free Speech Week’ is canceled. Milo Yiannopoulos says he’s coming anyway., The Washington Post

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