ACLU Changes Policy on Defending Hate Groups Protesting With Firearms

[boston bean]

The American Civil Liberties Union, taking a tougher stance on armed protests, will no longer defend hate groups seeking to march with firearms, the group’s executive director said.

Following clashes over the weekend in Charlottesville, Va., the civil-rights group also will screen clients more closely for the potential of violence at their rallies, said Anthony Romero, who has been the ACLU’s executive director since 2001.

The ACLU’s Virginia branch defended the right of white nationalists, neo-Nazis and other groups under the banner “Unite the Right” to protest the removal of a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee from a Charlottesville park.

“The events of Charlottesville require any judge, any police chief and any legal group to look at the facts of any white-supremacy protests with a much finer comb,” said Mr. Romero.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/aclu-changes-policy-on-defending-hate-groups-protesting-with-firearms-1503010167

[Warren DeMontague]

1. Seriously. I'm all for the 1st Amendment, but if they need to bring guns

let the NRA pick up the legal tab.

[boston bean]

2. Someone with a gun prevents free speech through intimidation.

That is my thought anyhow.

[MyOwnPeace]

7. Excellent point!

"Yes, it's me with my convictions against that guy with a semi-automatic. I'm fine with that."
(NEVER heard anywhere!)

[Warren DeMontague]

10. Certainly, from a legal defense perspective, they have taken it out of a purely 1A question into a

2A one.

To my mind, anyway.

Philosophically, I agree with you, but beyond that the ACLU focuses on defending 1st Amendment rights. The NRA is flush with cash, the ACLU doesn't need to waste legal defense money on these open carry yarblockos.

I find these losers with the fetish for waving their firearms around in public pathetic.

If you "need" a gun to express your 1st Amendment rights, you're weak. The truly brave are the people who stand out there and stare down hate with just a sign and the courage of their convictions.

[question everything]

3. I was thinking about what could happen with so many now carry guns in public

and so many states allow it.

I can see someone just fire a shot, in panic, or by mistake, and the next thing everyone responses.

[MyOwnPeace]

8. Vague memory..........

didn't that already happen somewhere in the US (not to name names ((Texas)) - when a random shot went of and caused more chaos?

[DURHAM D]

4. 'bout damn time

[BeyondGeography]

5. If there's a worse public policy idea than open carry don't let me know

K&R

[dalton99a]

6. Finally.

[Lucinda]

9. KNR

[boston bean]

11. Hey Lucinda! Haven't seen you around!!

Hope all is going well!!

[Lucinda]

12. Thankie! Lotta pain these days and am going to see a new surgeon soon, so

hopefully there will be better days by the end of the year. Hope all is well with you and yours! (apart from the nightmare in the WH)

[boston bean]

14. Sorry to hear that!! Hope things get better quickly.

As for me all is go well!

[Lucinda]

15. Thankie! Good to hear all is well with you!

[Dawson Leery]

13. One of the reasons I am not a member.

There is no excuse for firearms at protests.

Such threats of violence are not protected.

[Gothmog]

16. I am glad that the ACLU changed their policies