What is hate speech?
Hate speech refers to offensive or derogatory words, signs, or symbols directed at a person or group based on inherent characteristics like race, religion, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation. It often involves slurs or expressions of bigotry and can foment hostility and social discord.
The First Amendment does not have an exception for hate speech.
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Ashkhen Kazaryan is a Senior Legal Fellow at The Future of Free Speech, where she leads initiatives to protect free expression and shape policies that uphold the First Amendment in the digital age.