The First Amendment gives all American citizens the right to freedom of speech. However, in the past year, freedom of speech is under assault in our nation.

The first thing that must be made clear is that speech is not violence. Speech is speech. Violence is violence. Speech does not constitute violence and violence doesn’t constitute speech. If we lose freedom of speech in this nation, we lose all of our freedoms as we know it. All speech must be protected and preserved by the First Amendment

Another point that should be made abundantly obvious is that all speech that is seen as controversial is still free speech. All speech is free speech. The term “hate speech” is subjective, and all speech should be protected by the First Amendment, regardless of whether it offends someone or not. Shutting other people down just because they do not share the same opinion as you or because you don’t like what they say is not only intolerant, but has been used in fascist governments like Nazi Germany to silence other viewpoints and beliefs.

Free speech is being attacked, and several college campuses and politicians are looking to ban free speech in the name of political correctness.

On Sept. 14 of this year, conservative speaker and editor-in-chief of Daily Wire, Ben Shapiro, spoke at the University of California at Berkeley. The Berkeley Administration had to spend $600,000 to protect Shapiro and others willing to engage in a polite exchange of ideas from Antifa (Anti-fascist), a documented terrorist group, according to the Department of Homeland Security. The Berkeley administration threatened to shut down Shapiro’s speech because Antifa and other violent protesters said they would be there to wreck havoc at the university.

Fortunately, the Berkeley Police Department was allowed to do their job to protect Shapiro and others willing to have peaceful political discussion.

However, this attempt at “free” speech cost the city of Berkeley more than half of a million dollars, according to an article from the Daily Wire.

Antifa, which is a far-left political organization, is known for their several and rampant protest tactics, which includes property damage and physical violence. Antifa and it’s members become the aggressors and threaten to be physically abusive, so that universities and other groups have to cancel speeches to ensure peace. This tactic is commonly known as the heckler’s veto. Antifa and other intolerant people threaten and silence anyone willing to engage politely in dialogue and discussion. These so called “anti-fascists” are mainly made up of anarchists, socialists and communists, and they have repeatedly assaulted those with whom they disagree. They, ironically, fight free speech with fascist tactics and terrorize Conservatives, Republicans, Libertarians, Centrists and even some Classical Liberals.

Members of Antifa and their supporters in society are beginning to believe that speech is violence, and in turn, these vicious people feel morally obligated to attack others who disagree with them.

Freedom and liberty are never more than one generation away from extinction. We don’t pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, preserved, protected, and passed down for future generations of this country to do the same.

Societal development does not exist without free speech. If everyone is forced to think and act the same, our beloved nation will not improve in the future. We need a culture that teaches and enshrines respect, cordial debate, and quality discussions in order to make this country, and the world, a better place.