The Fight for Free Speech

Christopher Finan, author of From the Palmer Raids to the Patriot Act: A History of The Fight for Free Speech in America

The history of free speech in America is an accurate measure of the evolution of American democracy. During the 20th century there were recurring attempts at limiting the right of political protest and censoring artistic expression. These were successfully countered by the activism of citizen groups and public officials committed to the broadest expression of free speech in America. In this conversation author Chris Finan explains how that spirit of vigilance has been expressed from the Palmer Raids of 1919 to the Patriot Act of today.