Freedom Of Speech Even When the Authoritarians Say NO!

trumptman · Jun 25, 2025

NEW: 4 teens arrested for tearing down rainbow flags and cutting them at a rainbow crosswalk in Atlanta, GA, could face years in prison, according to the New York Times.The incident happened at the "symbolic" corner of Piedmont Avenue and 10th Street.The teens may face "enhanced" penalties because they "targeted" people based on their "s*xual orientation or gender identity."The teens, who are 16-18 years old, were charged with obstruction, criminal damage to property, conspiracy, and prowling.

So if this was any Antifa weekend and blocking traffic, causing millions in police overtime and so on, then no one would think it a big deal.

However it's a few kids ripping down and cutting up PRIDE flags.

So of course it's time to ship them off to prison for several years. Now if they shoplifted these flags I doubt they could get a day of jail but PRIDE flags, time to lock them away for a half a decade.

Democrats love their authoritarian impulses. They love locking up kids for wrong thing and concern trolling about things like freedom of speech unless it is speech they disagree with in which case then its hate and a crime.

Sorry but these kids need to go free. If burning, damaging and ripping up flags is free speech then it's speech for these kids as well.

Bok Tuklo · Jun 25, 2025

No link.

Lycanthrope · Jun 25, 2025

trumptman said:
So of course it's time to ship them off to prison for several years. Now if they shoplifted these flags I doubt they could get a day of jail but PRIDE flags, time to lock them away for a half a decade.

No mention of hard labor? Phhhbbt.

Allan · Jun 25, 2025

trumptman said:
If burning, damaging and ripping up flags is free speech then it's speech for these kids as well.

It's free speech when you burn your own flag. It's vandalism when you do it to one that doesn't belong to you.

And why is your hair on fire about this? We don't even know the trial outcome.

Pyrite · Jun 25, 2025

trumptman said:
So if this was any Antifa weekend and blocking traffic, causing millions in police overtime and so on, then no one would think it a big deal.

However it's a few kids ripping down and cutting up PRIDE flags.

So of course it's time to ship them off to prison for several years. Now if they shoplifted these flags I doubt they could get a day of jail but PRIDE flags, time to lock them away for a half a decade.

Democrats love their authoritarian impulses. They love locking up kids for wrong thing and concern trolling about things like freedom of speech unless it is speech they disagree with in which case then its hate and a crime.

Sorry but these kids need to go free. If burning, damaging and ripping up flags is free speech then it's speech for these kids as well.

Overall, we rate Trending Politics Right Biased and Questionable based on poor sourcing, promotion of propaganda, conspiracy theories, and several failed fact checks.

Factual Reporting: LOW

Credibility Rating: LOW

j brown's body · Jun 25, 2025

trumptman said:
So if this was any Antifa weekend and blocking traffic, causing millions in police overtime and so on, then no one would think it a big deal.

However it's a few kids ripping down and cutting up PRIDE flags.

So of course it's time to ship them off to prison for several years. Now if they shoplifted these flags I doubt they could get a day of jail but PRIDE flags, time to lock them away for a half a decade.

Democrats love their authoritarian impulses. They love locking up kids for wrong thing and concern trolling about things like freedom of speech unless it is speech they disagree with in which case then its hate and a crime.

Sorry but these kids need to go free. If burning, damaging and ripping up flags is free speech then it's speech for these kids as well.

If this was done by antifa, you all would be calling it "a riot."

Lycanthrope · Jun 25, 2025

Allan said:
It's free speech when you burn your own flag. It's vandalism when you do it to one that doesn't belong to you.

And why is your hair on fire about this? We don't even know the trial outcome.

"Because, because...LIIIIIIIIIIBZZZZZZZZ!!!"

Integrityrespec · Jun 25, 2025

trumptman said:
So if this was any Antifa weekend and blocking traffic, causing millions in police overtime and so on, then no one would think it a big deal.

However it's a few kids ripping down and cutting up PRIDE flags.

So of course it's time to ship them off to prison for several years. Now if they shoplifted these flags I doubt they could get a day of jail but PRIDE flags, time to lock them away for a half a decade.

Democrats love their authoritarian impulses. They love locking up kids for wrong thing and concern trolling about things like freedom of speech unless it is speech they disagree with in which case then its hate and a crime.

Sorry but these kids need to go free. If burning, damaging and ripping up flags is free speech then it's speech for these kids as well.

Should have burned the flag, that's just freedom of expression.

Lycanthrope · Jun 25, 2025

Integrityrespec said:
Should have burned the flag, that's just freedom of expression.

Indeed it is!

Provided you're not tearing down other people's flags and only burning your own.

Redress · Jun 25, 2025

trumptman said:
So if this was any Antifa weekend and blocking traffic, causing millions in police overtime and so on, then no one would think it a big deal.

However it's a few kids ripping down and cutting up PRIDE flags.

So of course it's time to ship them off to prison for several years. Now if they shoplifted these flags I doubt they could get a day of jail but PRIDE flags, time to lock them away for a half a decade.

Democrats love their authoritarian impulses. They love locking up kids for wrong thing and concern trolling about things like freedom of speech unless it is speech they disagree with in which case then its hate and a crime.

Sorry but these kids need to go free. If burning, damaging and ripping up flags is free speech then it's speech for these kids as well.

Vandalism is vandalism is vandalism, no matter the cause or who does it. Also, your story has jack shit to do with free speech.

Lovebug · Jun 25, 2025

So here is what I read

ATLANTA — Atlanta police said Tuesday that three men and a juvenile could face hate crimes charges after they pulled down LGBTQ pride flags and cut them up at an intersection known as the center of the city's LGBTQ community.

Police say they got calls at 1:40 a.m. Tuesday morning that six males were causing a disturbance near the corner of Piedmont Avenue and 10th Street, an intersection in the city's Midtown neighborhood that is painted with rainbow crosswalks to honor its importance in Atlanta's LGBTQ community.

The men coordinated their plan and drove to Atlanta from their locations northwest of the city, police said. Officers are still looking for two of the six people who they believe took part.

Investigators initially told news outlets that the men had pulled down flags outside Blake's on the Park, a bar near the intersection, cutting them up with a knife and taking videos of what they were doing. The males fled from police on motorized scooters, investigators said, with officers catching and arresting four of them.

"They're in the middle of the street popping wheelies, tearing up flags," a man said in a 911 call that police released.

4 could be charged with hate crimes for destroying LGBTQ pride flags, Atlanta police say

Police said all four were also charged with obstruction, criminal damage to property, conspiracy and prowling.

www.nbcnews.com

I don't like people who destroy someone else's property. I don't care who they are.
I do know that this isn't a matter of freedom of speech.

Loulit01 · Jun 25, 2025

trumptman said:
So if this was any Antifa weekend and blocking traffic, causing millions in police overtime and so on, then no one would think it a big deal.

Antifa gets a lot of attention for very little effort.

phoenix2020 · Jun 25, 2025

So now we know that @trumptman is pro-theft, pro-vandalism and soft on crime. He wants thieves and vandals to be able to steal whatever they want, whenever they want, with no consequences.

phoenix2020 · Jun 25, 2025

Loulit01 said:
Antifa gets a lot of attention for very little effort.

They block synapses rent-free in @trumptman's mind.

StillBallin75 · Jun 25, 2025

Waaaahhh Antifa waaaahhh

Never has a group so marginally consequential been made by snowflakes out to be an existential threat.

Must be tiring finding new ways to be scared all the time

lolbert · Jun 25, 2025

I think the idea of "hate" crime laws is dumb, and I support flag burning, but these people stole and vandalized property. That is a crime, whether they burned a thin blue line flag or a pride flag. This has nothing to do with freedom of speech.

Phys251 · Jun 25, 2025

phoenix2020 said:
So now we know that @trumptman is pro-theft, pro-vandalism and soft on crime. He wants thieves and vandals to be able to steal whatever they want, whenever they want, with no consequences.

This thread did not turn out the way that trumptman hoped.

lolbert said:
I think the idea of "hate" crime laws is dumb, and I support flag burning, but these people stole and vandalized property. That is a crime, whether they burned a thin blue line flag or a pride flag. This has nothing to do with freedom of speech.

People who dislike hate crime laws are generally soft on hate crimes.

trumptman · Jun 26, 2025

Allan said:
It's free speech when you burn your own flag. It's vandalism when you do it to one that doesn't belong to you.

And why is your hair on fire about this? We don't even know the trial outcome.

Well the outcome likely relates to the charges and we know how that is going.

Pyrite said:
Overall, we rate Trending Politics Right Biased and Questionable based on poor sourcing, promotion of propaganda, conspiracy theories, and several failed fact checks.

Factual Reporting: LOW

Credibility Rating: LOW

You didn't link your source but is it that wonderful arm chair physical therapist again? His yellow dots and arrows really fool a lot of people.

j brown's body said:
If this was done by antifa, you all would be calling it "a riot."

We would call it a riot because they cause riots.

Lycanthrope said:
Indeed it is!

Provided you're not tearing down other people's flags and only burning your own.

Now if they shoplifted these flags I doubt they could get a day of jail but PRIDE flags, time to lock them away for a half a decade.

Did you not read that part? Let's be nice and presume that the four of them together each took two flags. Middle pricing on those would be about $20 each and that's two so $40.

What would most DA's be giving them for that amount of crime in terms of a sentence?

Redress said:
Vandalism is vandalism is vandalism, no matter the cause or who does it. Also, your story has jack shit to do with free speech.

Now if they shoplifted these flags I doubt they could get a day of jail but PRIDE flags, time to lock them away for a half a decade.

Theft of the flags is one point. They are taking what you call vandalism and turning it into a hate crime. Is it hate vandalism in your mind?

Lovebug said:
So here is what I read

4 could be charged with hate crimes for destroying LGBTQ pride flags, Atlanta police say

Police said all four were also charged with obstruction, criminal damage to property, conspiracy and prowling.

www.nbcnews.com

I don't like people who destroy someone else's property. I don't care who they are.
I do know that this isn't a matter of freedom of speech.

You're wrong.

phoenix2020 said:
So now we know that @trumptman is pro-theft, pro-vandalism and soft on crime. He wants thieves and vandals to be able to steal whatever they want, whenever they want, with no consequences.

Go look up strawman argument and then learn to not do it.

lolbert said:
I think the idea of "hate" crime laws is dumb, and I support flag burning, but these people stole and vandalized property. That is a crime, whether they burned a thin blue line flag or a pride flag. This has nothing to do with freedom of speech.

True and that's why I put this...

Now if they shoplifted these flags I doubt they could get a day of jail but PRIDE flags, time to lock them away for a half a decade.

Do you think they deserve five years for this?

Phys251 said:
This thread did not turn out the way that trumptman hoped.

People who dislike hate crime laws are generally soft on hate crimes.

Actually it turned out exactly like I thought it would.

BitterPill · Jun 26, 2025

lolbert said:
I think the idea of "hate" crime laws is dumb, and I support flag burning, but these people stole and vandalized property. That is a crime, whether they burned a thin blue line flag or a pride flag. This has nothing to do with freedom of speech.

Not that it matters, but I am afraid I am with trumptman on this one and, to a lesser extent, with Integrityrespec simply because you are a Libertarian and likely don't even own a red hat.

MAGA.

SavannahMann · Jun 26, 2025

trumptman said:
So if this was any Antifa weekend and blocking traffic, causing millions in police overtime and so on, then no one would think it a big deal.

However it's a few kids ripping down and cutting up PRIDE flags.

So of course it's time to ship them off to prison for several years. Now if they shoplifted these flags I doubt they could get a day of jail but PRIDE flags, time to lock them away for a half a decade.

Democrats love their authoritarian impulses. They love locking up kids for wrong thing and concern trolling about things like freedom of speech unless it is speech they disagree with in which case then its hate and a crime.

Sorry but these kids need to go free. If burning, damaging and ripping up flags is free speech then it's speech for these kids as well.

Burning a flag you own is free speech. Burning a flag I own is not. Complicated for a RW type I know. But simple enough for the rest of us.

trumptman · Jun 26, 2025

SavannahMann said:
Burning a flag you own is free speech. Burning a flag I own is not. Complicated for a RW type I know. But simple enough for the rest of us.

What is the appropriate charge and sentence for burning your flag?

That's the point for all of us whether you realize it or not.

SavannahMann · Jun 26, 2025

trumptman said:
What is the appropriate charge and sentence for burning your flag?

That's the point for all of us whether you realize it or not.

Destroying your property is not a crime. But these Teens didn’t do that did they? Your false equivalency is about normal for the RW.

These Teens didn’t buy a bunch of flags and set them alight. They tore down others. Why? Because they totally didn’t hate Homosexuals?

The laws in use are not new. These idiot Teens had heard about it. The felt empowered to FA, now they are FO.

trumptman · Jun 26, 2025

SavannahMann said:
Destroying your property is not a crime. But these Teens didn’t do that did they? Your false equivalency is about normal for the RW.

I directly asked you what should the charge and sentence be for destroying a couple of flags likely value of $40 that do not belong to them.

SavannahMann said:
These Teens didn’t buy a bunch of flags and set them alight. They tore down others. Why? Because they totally didn’t hate Homosexuals?

The laws in use are not new. These idiot Teens had heard about it. The felt empowered to FA, now they are FO.

Answer the question Stop dodging it. You know that if this were even $100 in shoplifting that as juveniles they'd be given some sort of diversion and probation. They would not be looking at half a decade in jail.

SavannahMann · Jun 26, 2025

trumptman said:
I directly asked you what should the charge and sentence be for destroying a couple of flags likely value of $40 that do not belong to them.

Answer the question Stop dodging it. You know that if this were even $100 in shoplifting that as juveniles they'd be given some sort of diversion and probation. They would not be looking at half a decade in jail.

It isn’t a question of value but intent. Like your breather who deface Synagogues it isn’t just the cost of replacing or repairing. It is the intent.

The intent was to intimidate and frighten. To terrorize.

If you hold a stapler in your pocket and pretend it imply you have a gun it is armed robbery even if you don’t have a weapon. The intent is the vital factor.

I suppose these Teens can try and claim they destroyed the rainbows because they detest Skittles. Juries can be dumb. It might work. But it isn’t a question of free speech. You are just annoyed that some promising hate filled RW types were caught.

CLAX1911 · Jun 26, 2025

trumptman said:
So if this was any Antifa weekend and blocking traffic, causing millions in police overtime and so on, then no one would think it a big deal.

Oh no that shouldn't be tolerated. Anybody blocking the street should be tear gassed and arrested

trumptman said:
However it's a few kids ripping down and cutting up PRIDE flags.

It's not okay to steal people's property and destroy it those kids should pay to replace it

trumptman said:
So of course it's time to ship them off to prison for several years. Now if they shoplifted these flags I doubt they could get a day of jail but PRIDE flags, time to lock them away for a half a decade.

I would say I hate crime law wouldn't apply because they targeted objects not people.

trumptman said:
Democrats love their authoritarian impulses. They love locking up kids for wrong thing and concern trolling about things like freedom of speech unless it is speech they disagree with in which case then its hate and a crime.

I don't doubt they're going to try their hardest. But any attorney worth their salt should be able to point out that flags aren't people

trumptman said:
Sorry but these kids need to go free. If burning, damaging and ripping up flags is free speech then it's speech for these kids as well.

No they need to pay to replace the property they took and destroyed I don't care if it's pride plane and American flag or a Nazi flag you're not to do that sort of thing with people's property.

Freedom Of Speech Even When the Authoritarians Say NO!

A$$hole

"A Soros-backed animal"

Liberal Fascist For Life!

Be humble and kind

Has Never Deported Anyone

Generic Internet Poster

Generic Internet Poster

Salty Specialist

Member

Purge evil with Justice

Ignorance is Virtue

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Supreme knower of all

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency