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  E-Mail Forum – 2013  
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  Hate Speech at Richmond City Council
July 14, 2013
 
 

The following is from the RPA Website http://www.richmondprogressivealliance.net/.
To view the video, click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftLjerZYwa0&feature=youtu.be. Hard to watch.
Real Leadership Required
Drawing the Line between Hate and Free Speech
Hate speech is one of the most difficult issues for those of us who strongly defend the right of free speech. The problem is that hate speech, by creating a climate of fear, discourages other people from participating and deprives them of their rights of free speech. The hate and vulgar speech and atmosphere at the council have already driven away many who would otherwise attend.
It is tough to set rules setting the line between hate and free speech. Moreover, this method rarely works in the long run although it may be necessary in the short-run.
The most effective way to end the hate speech and atmosphere at Council meetings is for all council members to take individual responsibility to exercise leadership and make it clear that they personally will not tolerate such behaviors at Council Meetings. The problem is that two Councilmembers, Bates and Booze give these hateful behaviors legitimacy by seeming to encourage them from their followers.


Nat Bates Hears No Hate!

Nat Bates Hears No Hate!

See this clip from recent Council meetings where Nat Bates could hear no hate!                                       
In calling what is obviously hate speech, a "point of view" he legitimizes it and promotes it. 
What is Booze's contribution to the atmosphere? After a proclamation honoring the LGBTQQIS-2 community, the Mayor asked everyone who supported Pride month to stand. The video of the Council meeting shows Corky sitting, looking around, and then at the very last moment when he saw he was isolated, standing. But it is not his delay in standing that concerns us most. 
When it was his turn to speak he did not criticize his supporters' hate speech. He did not support the proclamation. Instead he made up a story to answer members of the community who criticized his staying seated, claiming he was absorbed in reading materials. He then went on to attack his critics including questioning whether Police Chief Magnus could be fair. (The City Council session of 6/25 can be viewed here --the Proclamation is about 20 minutes from the beginning.)    
It's time for the community to demand that these two so-called leaders help lead  Richmond into a proud future and stop encouraging behaviors which drag it into the dirt. Those who no longer attend Council meetings have left the field to the hate promoters. We need people who have good things to say about Richmond and its progressive polices to show up and set the tone for these meetings. 
It's time for the community to demand that the hate promoters end their shameless behavior. 
Tell the HATE PROMOTERS to STOP


 
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