Terrorist Organizations (S 2696)

Protecting the freedom of speech we hate is the benchmark of the First Amendment. In April, the ACLU testified before the Senate Judiciary committee in opposition to a resolution encouraging "law enforcement officials to recognize white nationalist and neo-nazi groups as terrorist organizations." While these groups may indeed promote odious views, the First Amendment nevertheless protects their right to speak. The ACLU noted that the history of law enforcement agencies investigating groups for not adhering to the nation's "foundational principles" or for reigniting "social animosities" includes the infiltration of the Communist party movement and anti-war and civil rights movements, and the spying in the recent past on some Muslim organizations, and urged amendment of the resolution. The resolution was never voted on by the committee.