Café Inquiry (ONLINE) – Free Speech

This event is held online. (Click the button to join the Zoom meeting.)

On Sept 16, NBC News reported that “Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Trump administration will be ‘targeting’ hate speech, which she differentiated from free speech…”

Many people have expressed concern about these and similar remarks by members of the current administration, and about their implications for our first amendment rights. At the next Cafe Inquiry Online we will discuss the “abridging the freedom of speech” part of the First Amendment, its interpretation and effects over the years, and current concerns about the protection it provides. Here are some suggested (but not required) background readings: The New York Times Morning Newsletter from September 19 raises some concerns about First Amendment rights threatened by the actions of this administration. This article from the Foundation for Equal Rights in Education discusses the status of hate speech under the First Amendment. The U.S. Courts webpage gives examples of what rights free speech includes and excludes. The Whitehouse.gov webpage includes this executive order from January 20, 2025 concerning free speech. Finally, there’s this pointedly humorous OpEd column by USA Today columnist Rex Huppke written in response to Jimmy Kimmel being pulled off the air. Hope you can join us!

___

Café Inquiry starts with a short introduction of the day’s topic, followed by casual discussion.

This event is free and open to the public. Donations appreciated, but not expected.

Attendees are able to future propose topics which would align with Michigan Humanist’s purpose: from atheism, agnosticism, humanism, secularism, and freethinking to broader subjects in science and humanities, such as religion, philosophy, social issues, politics, evolution, morality, ethics, and psychology.

Café Inquiry (Grand Rapids) meets each month IN PERSON on the second Sunday and ONLINE on the fourth Sunday.

—

Michigan Humanists values the participation of all guests — requests for reasonable accommodation may be made by contacting the event host at least three days prior to the event.

Michigan Humanists expects all guests to engage in respectful discussion. Please visit the Michigan Humanist Culture and Expectations page for more information. Speak to the event host or contact info@michiganhumanists.org if you feel these expectations are being violated.

Events are made possible by your financial support. Michigan Humanists is a 501(c)3 non-profit. All donations are tax-deductible as provided by law. Donations to Michigan Humanists can be made at https://www.michiganhumanists.org/donate/