Teen Vogue condemns new protest laws, ignoring the crucial need for campus safety

October 4, 2024

By Tim Worstall

Is the law restricting protest? Teen Vogue insists it is, and that this is bad.

Since 2017, 21 states across the country have passed new laws that restrict protests — nearly 50 in total — with dozens more being introduced annually.

Most of these new laws increase criminal penalties for conduct, like interfering with traffic, involved in some kinds of protests. Under laws passed in states such as Arkansas, Iowa, and Tennessee, protesters can spend up to a year in jail for “obstructing” public streets or sidewalks, even though these are traditional venues for First Amendment-related activities.

We say this is good. No, not that limiting First Amendment rights is good — but that limiting the danger to others is good.

Of course students have the right to say whatever they like about Israel, Hamas and the rest. We also have the right – as we have used that right – to say we disapprove of, hate, are disgusted by, some of what is being said. That’s all free speech.

But there are times when demonstrations, speeches, the incitements to hatred, damage others. As with that not shouting “Fire” in a crowded theater there are limits to free speech. One of which has always been incitement to violence.

This is what has been happening at colleges across the country. As we’ve been detailing again and again. Allowable statements of belief have, all too quickly, become threats to the safety of Jewish and other students on campus.

As Teen Vogue says about limitations on free speech being bad. But all rights are conditional – on not violating those same rights of others.

We’ve always worked, as a society, on the idea that colleges, universities, police that conflict of rights on campus. The administration needs to make sure that all can have their say – also that all are safe. Which is what has not been happening.

We’ve now a system where the shouters have more rights than the safety. This is wrong. So, as the colleges don’t balance, protect, rights then the government has to step in. We need the physical safety of students to be protected, of course we do. We also want free speech and other Bill of Rights freedoms to be protected, of course we do. But when those charged with, responsible for, those protections go wrong then the higher level authorities have to step in.

Yes, it’s entirely true there are more laws about protest now than there used to be. The reason? The colleges, the administrations, who were supposed to be dealing with this stopped doing so.

Well, if people are going to be incompetent then we pass a law to remove their responsibility, right? Which is what has been happening.

Modern colleges are not capable of administering the balance of rights. So, other people are going to have to do that for them.

Well, there is another solution, to make sure that college administrations do their job. As we’ve pointed out more than once too.

It’s not a difficult idea. Do your job or we’ll have to get someone else to do that job you’re not doing.

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