| If memory serves correctly...
The Skokie incident did occur, I believe in 1978.
American Nazis petitioned for the right to march in Skokie, Illinois,
which happens also to be the home of many holocaust survivors.
In the end I believe their petition to march was granted, but their
route was somewhat limited, and they were fairly outnumbered by
counter-demonstrators.
The Nazis were defended by the American Civil Liberties Union which
counts many Jews among their staff and supporters, so it is not
unlikely that some of the lawyers were Jewish. Incidentally, a great
number of Jewish contributors cut off support for the ACLU as a result
of this, and that effect was apparently felt severely.
Lincoln Rockwell did exist. (Does exist? I think he's dead -- in fact I
think he was dead by the time this incident took place).
I didn't see the film so I can't say if it was accurate. The issue
of where free speech ends and the right of the public to supress dangerous
views begins is probably discussed elsewhere in this conference.
If not, or if you want to start it off again, you can say something
controversial like, "Doesn't the bill of rights give the right to American
Nazis to say whatever they want wherever they want?" and see what kind of
reaction you get.
Sid
|
| At all,Sid
I really think you just gotta be intolerant sometimes.Here in
Italy,despite we have one of the worst judiciary systems-and slowest
too-no one would accept such an extreme interpretation of the
Constitution.
I mean common GOOD sense just has to overrule any possible flaw in the
law (no rhyme intended!!).
Another scene I remember was that the Nazi leader,at the end of the
film,makes a public statement that "the intention was not to march in
Skokie,but to draw nation-wide attention ",infact they eventually hold
a rally in Marquette Park,Chicago and the Skokie City Council is
stunned by this twist.
However,yes my outlook is European so I guess I'm not concerned-and
informed-enough to explore all the debatable aspects that someone else
might point out about the above-mentioned Liberties issue.
Fabrizio
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