There‘s a huge gap between defending someone‘s right to speak and defending what they‘re saying. As some people need to be constantly reminded, free speech is not speech without consequences. Ignorant, nasty, brutish statements deserve the criticism they receive. What they shouldn‘t be met with is calls for the government to step in and tell everyone what sort of speech is permitted. Those protesting the statue‘s removal had every right to be heard, no matter how ridiculous their arguments and beliefs.