Free Speech
Current Events & Pop Culture
Available to teachers only as part of the Teaching Free Speech Teacher Pass
Teaching Free Speech Teacher Pass includes:
- Assignments & Activities
- Reading Quizzes
- Current Events & Pop Culture articles
- Discussion & Essay Questions
- Challenges & Opportunities
- Related Readings in Literature & History
Sample of Current Events & Pop Culture
What Makes Support "Material"?
An editorial published in the New York Times in February 2010 argues that the anti-terrorism Humanitarian Law Project may conflict with the constitutional right to freedom of speech. The piece provides an illuminating example of the tensions that have arisen over protecting civil liberties while pursuing counter-terrorism.
Excerpt
“The law prohibits giving not only weapons and money, but also less concrete support, like advice and “service.” The plaintiffs argue that these prohibitions go too far, infringing on their rights to free speech and association. Supporters of the law argue that it reasonably seeks to put groups like Al Qaeda and Hamas off-limits and to prohibit people from working with them.”