Tragic Outcome of the Unite Right Rally

 In August 12th of 2017, a rally of white nationalists with their supporters have gathered in Charlottesville, Virginia to refuse the dispose the statue of Robert E Lee , leading into the cause of one death and nineteen injured peaceful protesters.

The rally’s event had attracted a widespread appeal towards national audience to express a hatred of the removal of civil war monuments.  On August 11th, The white nationalists marched with torchlight chanting “White lives matter” and “Jews will not replace us” walking to the University of Virginia to be greeted by counter protesters.  Which had caused both sides to corrupted violence and fight one another.

As much as the protesters were not doing any harm before the fights of the rally have started there is an argument whether if the protesters can be protected with the use of the 1st amendment.  The First amendment state that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press: or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”  Meaning that the Government cannot outlaw the people’s free speech based on its content. What the first amendment does protect is a person when they are to be suffered by the consequences, yet still have the right to say what it is to be said.

When it comes to the Right rally to Charlottesville, it appeared to be more of a hate speech than fight words  that the white nationalists have used in the rally, but can still provoke into fighting words. Ways that hate speech cannot be protected due to the doctrine of the First Amendment is that if an individual/individuals provokes violence to someone face by using terms or phrases to retaliate  another individual. As example of the Unite the Right Rally, the nationalists shouted “white lives matter” and “You will not replace us” with this connected to other phrases whether it is fighting words or hate speech, which can be protected by the First Amendment?

What could have been done to put a stop of the this event that would have not lost and injured both sides of the protest would to have a peaceful assemble and to not bring weapons in a public display, if a group wishes to discuss upon peace yet bring weapons to fight the event shall preferable be shut down.  The First Amendment does not give the right to create an armed mob, only towards lawful citizens until an act of violence is occured.

This is a call towards action, the First Amendment is meant to protect and respect freedom towards religion and speech, but does not protect the acts of violence and hatred that were commited by the nationalist protesters.