Public Comment

Make Some Noise for Peace
Don't let a few raindrops get in the way: There's a big Stop Genocide rally set for San Francisco's Ferry Building Plaza at the Embarcadero today from 12:30 to 2.

The organizers, a raucous team of radical rascals previously known as RACCOON have just announced their latest free-speech event—calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

Now known by the moniker MegaMouth Rebels, MMR's pre-protest posters promise the "Let Gaza Live" event will feature "Chants! Noise! Art! Angry Speech!" And when it comes to making noise, MMR isn't kidding. Their open-air auditory assault promises to include "8 megaphones, 7 air horns, 6 soccer trumpets, and chalk."

For the erudite in the crowd, MMG promises a "Palestinian Culture Quiz with Watermelon Prize!" And for the iconoclasts on hand, MMG plans a hands-on attraction called: "Tomato-Tossing at Bibi / Netanyahu Image." 

Late Night TV Hosts Are Busy Roasting Trump
One way the political pontificators of late-night comedy get their giggles is by sub-titling a Trump-related title to each day's dish of Trump-dumping. 

Here are two lists of recent self-titled episodes from two leading late-night gag-grabbers—Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel. 

Stephen Colbert on Trump's Courtroom Slumbers 

One Fine Day 

Jury Up and Wait 

Bar None 

Justice Is Swerved 

Blubber Mouth 

Snooze Crimea
Super Snoozeday 

Easter Dummy 

Oaf of Wall Street 

A Grift from God 

Sixth, Lies, And Videotape 

The Fascist and the Furious 

The Joe Must Go On 

Jimmy Kimmel on Trump's Courtroom Rumbles 

Gaseous Clay 

The Toot Fairy
Al Ca-Porn
Naptain America
Hypocritters 

The Free Speech Ruckus at NYU
New York University History Prof. Robert Cohen and co-author of "The Free Speech Movement: Reflections on Berkeley in the 1960s" writes with an update on the political turmoil at NYU:
"The NYU encampment here—which has about 100-150 or so protesters here in its third day…. I get to speak to the students whenever I walk my dogs. In fact, the only disruption the protesters are guilty of is taking the space my dogs usually walk through. But the dogs have not called for the arrest or eviction of the protesters, which means that these Scottish terriers are smarter than many campus admins…." 

"The media frenzy around the protests has been like nothing I have ever experienced," says Cohen, a leading authority on the FSM and free speech challenges. "Today, aside from a KPFA interview, I spoke with the BBC, the CBC, the Orange County Register, and am about to speak with a French reporter, then the WPost, and an Italian reporter. I was interviewed by ABC TV news in SF the other night, along with Vox, the NYT, German TV etc, etc." 

FSM Vets Issue a Proclamation:
Free Speech – 1964 and 2024
The following statement of support from veterans of the 1964 Free Speech Movement was delivered to the occupation site on the steps of Sproul Hall on behalf of the Free Speech Movement Archives (www.fsm-a.org). 

In the fall of 1964, the administration of the University of California at Berkeley, under external political pressure and spurred on by an administrator who was working with the FBI, attempted to ban political speech or activity on campus. This resulted in a 3-month struggle that gave birth to the Free Speech Movement, a successful campaign that organized the campus and culminated in massive peaceful civil disobedience, resulting in a complete victory for free speech rights. 

In recent weeks, we have witnessed the depressing spectacle of university administrators at USC, Columbia, and NYU buckling under to external political pressure and attempting to silence voices demanding a ceasefire in Gaza and humanitarian aid for civilians. A valedictorian was prevented from addressing the graduating class, peaceful protests have faced mass arrests of students and faculty, faculty firings and student suspensions. 

We urge these administrators to get off their knees, and stand up for free speech and academic freedom on the campuses it is their duty to lead and protect. Without the free exchange of ideas, there can be no learning, only indoctrination. The prohibition of ideas can only be for one reason; there is no way to rebut them with facts or logic. Invoking police power to close discussion is an admission of intellectual bankruptcy. 

We applaud the development of a rapidly growing campus movement all over the country in solidarity with USC, Columbia and NYU. Free speech must be defended, now as it was in our time. 

Free Speech Movement Archives Board 

Jack Radey, President; Anita Medal, Treasurer; Bettina Aptheker; Robert Cohen; Susan Druding; Lee Felsenstein; Barbara Garson; Jackie Goldberg; Steve Lustig: Lynne Hollander Savio; Gar Smith; Barbara Stack 

60 Years Later, Freedom of Speech
Still Eludes College Students
An Ethnic Media Services article based on an interview with Lynne Hollander Savio is available at this link. 

Lynne Hollander Savio on the FSM 

Ethnic Media Services