Free Speech Is Expensive at UW Milwaukee

The price of free speech just went up at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. The Conservative Union booked Walid Shoebat, a former PLO member to present "Why I Left Jihad."  There is a good deal of controversy associated with Shoebat's presentations. Wiser minds can decide if he is a hero or snake oil salesman.

The speech may never be presented. A group of Muslim students oppose the speech saying that it will inspire violence against them. Sorry, go read the Constitution. Hateful or not so hateful speakers, whether they incite a crowd or not, are protected under the Bill of Rights. As they do not make a call to violence, the speech is protected; and even some remarks that incite violence are protected.

Of greater concern is the position of UW Milwaukee.  They are requiring the sponsors pay a fee of $2500 for extra security for the event.

Wrong.  Very wrong.

This was the tactic used against Freedom Riders struggling for Civil Rights in the South. It was used against the anti-war movement in the 1960's.  Charge for a parade permit, charge for the extra security so that those wishing to exercise their right to free speech are prohibited from gathering.

The United States Supreme Court has made it clear that fees for security or permits that prevent the public exercise of free speech are a violation of our Constitution. The Court made it clear that stopping a speech based on the fear that others will become agitated or excited is unacceptable.

I will leave to others who are more current on recent Supreme Court decisions to provide documentation to support my contention. Hopefully, I will get some help from other quarters that are more knowledgeable.

Comments

[Emily]

You noticed that, too, huh? While Shoebat comes off as far more of a snake oil salesman to me, free speech is free speech and I agree that the Conservative Union has every right to have him speak. The security fee probably is what you call it, and thanks for picking up on it.

Still, I find it fascinating that Shoebat has become such a darling to the religious far-right. It's not surprising, though: a born-again Christian fundamentalist who calls for crushing any two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (pro Israel) on the one hand, then makes condescending comments about the Jewish people on the other ( http://www.danielpipes.org/comments/27999 ). It seems to me that Mr. Shoebat has simply gone from one kind of dangerous fundamentalism to another.

[A UW student]

Paul,

The UW Madison PD tried to do the same thing when the CRs hosted Horowitz. Though the price was only $1500 and not the $2500 as in Milwaukee, the effect was the same. I don't agree with Horowitz and think he does more harm to conservative voices than anything else, but it's still the same tactic.

[Kay]

You win -- but students facing higher costs don't.

JS Online reports the UWM Union (not UWM; they're separate) is rescinding the security fee. So the Union says it will recover the charges some other way.

That way is more soaring student fees that fund the Union (tuition and taxes don't), going even higher.

[ME2]

Why would they need extra security? Maybe Mr. Shoebat has a valid point.

Don't worry about the money pump that is the UWM Union. Just don't forget your Visa when you want to park there.

[Paul Clark]

Apparently no one here is familiar with
www.WhatTheWestNeedsToKnow.com

Typical MadisOnion ignorance.

[Jeanette]

Just suppose Walid is right and that America better wake up. What happens if we don't? Well, that's already decided by a Higher Power. Doesn't matter if you choose to believe it or not, and it is your choice. The people that made fun of Noah perished and many others throughout history that chose not the things of God perished as well. God said their would be those in the last days that would rather believe a lie than the truth. Think about it. . .If I accept what Walid is saying and choose to follow Jesus Christ as a believer and accept His plan of Salvation what do I have to gain? Well, the answer to that my friend is Eternal Salvation with Him. At worse, if it isn't true (which I believe it is), then maybe I would have lived a life with people making fun of me, which they will do anyway, but at least I won't end up in hell for eternity.