A peaceful demonstration, in protest of injustice - meant to bring attention to an injustice that is otherwise left to fester in shadow?, versus the loud, public and proud proclamation of a desire to oppress others and establish/maintain/support a racial hierarchy that systemically benefits one group above all others? To me, both groups have the absolute right to voice their opinions under the law...but society is not bound to accept either view by decree, and your right to say something has no bearing whatsoever on the reaction to your words or the consequences of them for you.
I believe, to the very marrow in my bones, in the principle that though your words and ideas may make my blood boil and my veins bulge from my head, I will nonetheless fight to my dying breath to preserve your RIGHT to say those very things...it is not the words that someone says that I am overly concerned with...hell, these white supremacist assholes make it easier to track them and know what they are doing by publicly speaking and sounding like gutter rats in the process...but it is non-negotiable to me that everyone be granted the RIGHT to say whatever is in their heart...but with full knowledge that exercising said right does not protect them from the social consequences of such speech, ever. The government and politics have no business forcing speech in any specific or chosen direction...but the will of the people and social justice can and do get to place a price on open expression of hate or vilification.
No government or other group should ever have the power to prevent someone from expressing themselves (it is a slippery slope that cannot be allowed...but everyone has an obligation to hold everyone else accountable for their words, deeds and intents when they speak with desire to injure, harm, separate or cause others to do likewise. I similarly believe wholeheartedly in redemption and people overcoming tainted or even hateful views and words in the past when it comes to the present...but you know these people by their actions and not by their words...redemption is beyond "I'm sorry" and into the work and deeds a person under takes.
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