Replies to post #94968 on Tornado Alley (PROG)

[arizona1]

Canadian protesters cause Ann Coulter to cancel lecture
by Patrick from Toronto

Tue Mar 23, 2010 at 07:05:13 PM PDT

With the passage of landmark health insurance reform legislation, the reconciliation bill in the system, the midterms coming up this fall, and other issues, sometimes you just need a good laugh. For a first diary, this certainly isn't packed full of analysis, or deep thought. However, think you'll forgive me when you read it!

Toronto Star: Coulter cancels speech

I submit this article for your consideration and enjoyment.

Security officials have scrubbed American right-winger Ann Coulter’s speech at the University of Ottawa after a boisterous protest prompted concerns for her safety.

A spokesman for the group that organized the event said there were fears for Coulter’s well-being after about two thousand people gathered outside the venue to protest her presence there.

As you may or may not be aware, Canadians have some pretty strict standards when it comes to "hate speech." Besides it being a criminal offense, people tend to reject it pretty severely. Canadians have been stripped of the Order of Canada for hate speech.

We really don't appreciate it when people come from outside of the country attempting to peddle their hate.
Enter Ann Coulter, who was scheduled to give speeches at several universities in the country. To my immense pride in our country, and to her immense discomfort, Coultergeist (tm KO) who fancies herself an advocate of free speech, met its full power, in the form of THOUSANDS of Canadians protesting her very appearance.

What was her response? Unlike the recent heroic examples of Speaker Pelosi and her comrades wading through the protesters, Coulter canceled. When faced with a little heat for her point of view, she crumbled and backed off.

Now, I just want to make one disclaimer on this laugh fest. I understand that universities are places where ideas are exchanged, and free speech is given very wide berth. I would have objected to the suppression of Coulter's participation. However, from my perspective, non-disruptively protesting her speech is fair game.

Funny how conservatives talk a big game about free speech when peddling their hate, but can't stand the heat of others exercising their rights to disagree!

Give a Canadian a hi-five next time you see one! We've got your backs up here!

UPDATE: h/t to MsLibrarian's diary for additional context as to Coulter's comments causing the protest. Telling Muslim students to go ride a camel is absolutely unacceptable!

SECOND UPDATE:
Video of Ms. Coulter's controversial comments here

Final Update:
Coulter organizers cancel event link indicates that it was her organizers, NOT the police who called it off.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/3/23/849977/-Canadian-protesters-cause-Ann-Coulter-to-cancel-lecture-

[StephanieVanbryce]

TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE [ http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/usc_sup_01_18.html ]

§ 2383. Rebellion or insurrection

Whoever incites, sets on foot, assists, or engages in any rebellion or insurrection against the authority of the United States or the laws thereof, or gives aid or comfort thereto, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States. [ http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/usc_sec_18_00002383----000-.html ]

§ 2384. Seditious conspiracy

If two or more persons in any State or Territory, or in any place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, conspire to overthrow, put down, or to destroy by force the Government of the United States, or to levy war against them, or to oppose by force the authority thereof, or by force to prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any law of the United States, or by force to seize, take, or possess any property of the United States contrary to the authority thereof, they shall each be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both. [ http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/usc_sec_18_00002384----000-.html ]

§ 2385. Advocating overthrow of Government

Whoever knowingly or willfully advocates, abets, advises, or teaches the duty, necessity, desirability, or propriety of overthrowing or destroying the government of the United States or the government of any State, Territory, District or Possession thereof, or the government of any political subdivision therein, by force or violence, or by the assassination of any officer of any such government;

or

Whoever, with intent to cause the overthrow or destruction of any such government, prints, publishes, edits, issues, circulates, sells, distributes, or publicly displays any written or printed matter advocating, advising, or teaching the duty, necessity, desirability, or propriety of overthrowing or destroying any government in the United States by force or violence, or attempts to do so;

or

Whoever organizes or helps or attempts to organize any society, group, or assembly of persons who teach, advocate, or encourage the overthrow or destruction of any such government by force or violence; or becomes or is a member of, or affiliates with, any such society, group, or assembly of persons, knowing the purposes thereof—

Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both, and shall be ineligible for employment by the United States or any department or agency thereof, for the five years next following his conviction.

If two or more persons conspire to commit any offense named in this section, each shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both, and shall be ineligible for employment by the United States or any department or agency thereof, for the five years next following his conviction.

As used in this section, the terms “organizes” and “organize”, with respect to any society, group, or assembly of persons, include the recruiting of new members, the forming of new units, and the regrouping or expansion of existing clubs, classes, and other units of such society, group, or assembly of persons. [ http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/usc_sec_18_00002385----000-.html ]

Here's the latest evidence against them (please add more if you can remember other similar incidents)...

Beck's "war": Fox host responds to passage of health care reform with violent rhetoric [ http://mediamatters.org/research/201003230062 ]

Bachmann: We're Not Going To Obey Health Care Law -- 'We Don't Have To'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENU-I1wqrSM

Seems like their incitement is starting to bear fruit, too: Vandals hit at least five Dem offices nationwide, threaten to ‘assassinate’ children of pro-reform lawmakers [ (your post - http://thinkprogress.org/2010/03/23/slaughter-threats/ ]

As an added bonus, if found guilty of these crimes they will have their citizenship revoked...

8 U.S.C. § 1481 : US Code - Section 1481: Loss of nationality by native-born or naturalized citizen; voluntary action; burden of proof; presumptions

=snip=

(7) committing any act of treason against, or attempting by
force to overthrow, or bearing arms against, the United States,
violating or conspiring to violate any of the provisions of
section 2383 of title 18, or willfully performing any act in
violation of section 2385 of title 18, or violating section 2384
of title 18 by engaging in a conspiracy to overthrow, put down,
or to destroy by force the Government of the United States, or to
levy war against them, if and when he is convicted thereof by a
court martial or by a court of competent jurisdiction.[ http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/uscode/8/12/III/III/1481 ]

Are there any lawyers on DU who know if there's a good case here and, if so, how to make sure they face these charges?

ETA After rereading paragraph 2 of § 2385, there have been several posts in freeperville which are covered under this law, too. A quick search using DU's search engine should find the ones I'm referring to...

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Turborama/124