Colorado Nazi Group Adopts a Highway
The Nazi Party of Colorado has sponsored a mile long stretch of US Highway 85. An official Colorado state Adopt-a-Highway placard announces that the highway is sponsored by the “National Socialist Movement Denver Unit.” Fox 31 News KDVR writes that the National Socialist Movement members “are inspired by teachings of Hitler, believe interracial relationships and homosexuality should be crimes, and they want to start a separate all-white country.” Adopting a highway is a good public relations and recruiting tool, the Nazi party says. Though the Colorado Department of Transportation did not want to accept the Nazi’s application to sponsor the highway, the law is on the Nazi’s side; courts around the country have permitted white supremacists to sponsor adopt-a-highway signs. “ ‘To have our freedom we have to have all kinds of speech, and this is a case where hate speech is protected,’ ” Anti-Defamation League Director Bruce DeBoskey said; “ ‘This organization stands for hate. It’s a white supremacist group. It’s a neo-Nazi group.’ ”
- The National Socialist Movement acknowledges that the Adopt-a-Highway program “is a good PR move for them and a recruiting tool.” Should the government have the right to decide who can participate in the adopt-a-highway program? Do you see this as a question of free speech?
- Should freedom of expression have limits? If so, what should they be? What are some of the arguments against placing limitations on free speech? What might the consequences be if there is no limit to free speech?
- Should people be allowed to openly display their racist beliefs? Does prohibiting a group from doing so take away its right to free speech?
- Unlike any other democratic nation, the United States protects “hate speech.” Why do you think the United States allows “hate speech”?
- Anti-Defamation League Director Bruce DeBoskey said “ ‘To have our freedom we have to have all kinds of speech.’ ” Do you agree with DeBoskey? Why or why not?
- Do you think groups should have the same rights as individuals when it comes to free speech?
- How far should freedom of speech be extended? Should the National Socialist Movement be allowed to have its own recruiting commercial on television?
