The Globe and Mail is reporting on a story that has its roots on this blog more than two years ago.
It took more than two years for prosecutors to demonstrate to a grand jury that US freedoms of speech don’t protect the kind of venom that has spewed from websites under the control of Bill White, who describes himself as “commander” of the American National Socialist Party.
As the Globe and Mail story reports:
Thursday in Virginia, acting U.S. attorney Julia Dudley said some lines had clearly been crossed, as she announced the new charges against Mr. White. “When freedom of speech turns into threats against innocent people, it is the responsibility of the law enforcement community to intervene and protect its citizens,” she said.
Two years ago, we asked how Canada should defend its citizens from threats against its own citizens. We suggested that a regime is needed to establish sovereignty over such threats against Canadian citizens and Canadian residents.
There has been a lot of hostility directed against Canada’s Human Rights legislation over the past few months, but even the US considers that lines can be drawn that set bounds on First Amendment freedoms.
What is the right approach for Canada to apply on speech? How should Canada defend its citizens from threats that originate outside this country?
