68 percent of college students say free speech protections should extend to threats, inciting violence: Poll

[exboyfil]

1. 1st amendment doesn't extend to making credible threats - I don't think the poll is saying that about 68%

That is established law for some time. Such threats are assault at a minimum and potentially covered by new laws detailing terroristic threats.

PA Code:

§ 2706. Terroristic threats.

(a) Offense defined.--A person commits the crime of terroristic threats if the person communicates, either directly or indirectly, a threat to:

(1) commit any crime of violence with intent to terrorize another;

(2) cause evacuation of a building, place of assembly or facility of public transportation; or

(3) otherwise cause serious public inconvenience, or cause terror or serious public inconvenience with reckless disregard of the risk of causing such terror or inconvenience.

One thing I can't find is the actual question that was asked. I think any article that doesn't include the actual poll question is pretty useless.


The actual response clarifier isn't the same as the statement about threats or incitement. It says free speech even if there is some risk of violence. There is always a risk of violence when controversial positions are taken. That is far different than 68% agreeing that it should extend to threats.

"A clear majority of students — 68% — argued for pushing the limits of speech on campus even if there's some risk of violence. That's much higher than the 43% of the 3,525 non-students polled who share that view."