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When do you cross the line between free speech and hate speech? And how should that apply to university campuses? Those were some of the questions addressed at a forum at UAA on Friday that featured first amendment expert and Berkeley Law School Dean Erwin Chemerinsky.
Chemerinsky said the law protects free speech at public universities. It's an issue that has been in the news recently as universities consider whether to allow controversial speakers on campus. Chemerinsky said the first amendment protects free speech rights, even if the speech is deeply offensive.
"The law is clear that hate speech is protected by the first amendment," said Chemerinsky, adding it shouldn't be up to the government to decide what people can hear.