Word: speech
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...shouting to interfere with Weinberger's speech itself a form of communication deserving protection...
...true that those who protest at a speech are often communicating a message. Such communication is entitled to protection but only so long as it does not infringe unjustifiably on the rights of others. That point arises when the heckling and protests interfere with the speaker's ability to communicate and the rights of other members of the audience to listen. This is simply another application of the principle that gave rise to the celebrated maxim: "Your freedom to swing your fist stops at the point of my nose." This principle does not deprive anyone of the right to communicate...
...Would students be justified in disrupting a commencement speech on the ground that they should not have to choose between attending their own graduation and listening to a speaker whose views they abhor...
...would not have a right to try to prevent the address from being heard, although they might try to express their disapproval in other, nonobstructive ways. Even if the administration showed poor judgment in its choice of speaker or in refusing to rescind the invitation, the importance of free speech to the university--an interest that exists apart from any particular administration--is too critical and the interests of those who might wish to hear the address are too important to justify such interference. In light of these interests, it is not too much to ask of disapproving students that...
...sponsoring organization, be it the university or a student group, should be free to select the format in which its invited speaker will appear by indicating how long the speech should last, whether there will be a question period, whether other speakers will sit as a panel, etc. Invited speakers are naturally free to refuse if they do not feel comfortable with the format proposed...