Washington DC – US Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) With Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Kevin Cramer (RN.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss .) and Thom Tillis (RN.C.) introduced a resolution recognizing the importance of protecting freedom of speech, thought and expression.

“Canceling culture is an obstacle to a free market for ideas and remains antithetical to the preservation and perpetuation of global democracy,” said Senator Blackburn. “This resolution recognizes the important role of freedom of expression and ensures that the United States will stand up for it wholeheartedly. “

Senator Marsha Blackburn.

Read the full text of the resolution here or below.

Whereas freedom of expression is one of the most fundamental values ​​of the United States;

Whereas the ability of all citizens of the United States to speak, protest and express their opinions publicly is essential to the democratic process and to a free society;

Considering that the principles of freedom of expression and freedom of expression are attacked by people having the desire and the means to suppress opinions which these people consider to be offensive or contrary to the dominant dogmas;

Whereas efforts to stifle debate and silence dissent are compounded by Culture Cancellation, a move to impose severe social and economic sanctions on those who express unpopular views;

Considering that freedom of expression should not be dictated by the majority, nor limited to the freedom to discuss non-controversial subjects;

Whereas freedom of expression includes the freedom to express unpopular, controversial and even offensive opinions;

Considering that these attacks on freedom of expression have had a crippling effect on freedom of expression and created fear of social, economic and deadly reprisals;

Whereas the stifling of freedom of expression and the resulting fear have exacerbated social tensions and divided the people of the United States;

Whereas in January 2018, a student at Liberty High School in Oregon was suspended for wearing a shirt that supported President Donald Trump;

Whereas in January 2018, authorities in the People’s Republic of China pressured Marriott International to fire an employee for using the company’s social media account to like a Twitter post by a separatist group Tibetan;

Whereas in July 2018, the People’s Republic of China pressured United States airlines to modify their websites to recognize the country’s claim to the island of Taiwan;

Whereas in October 2019, Blizzard Entertainment temporarily banned Ng Wai Chung from participating in his esports tournament for wearing a mask supporting the protests in Hong Kong;

Whereas in October 2019, Blizzard Entertainment temporarily banned an esports team from a US university from its competition for posting a sign criticizing the company and supporting the protests in Hong Kong;

Whereas in October 2019, authorities in the People’s Republic of China pressured Daryl Morey, general manager of the Houston Rockets basketball team, to apologize for expressing on Twitter its support for the protests in Hong Kong;

Whereas in September 2020, the University of Southern California put Professor Greg Patton on leave after explaining a word in Mandarin that sounds the same as an offensive word in English during his lecture;

Whereas in December 2020, opinion writer Adam Rubenstein resigned from The New York Times 6 months after facing backlash from New York Times staff for editing an opinion piece by Senator Tom Cotton of the Arkansas; and

While in February 2021, Lucasfilm fired actress Gina Carano after she wrote a social media post calling on people not to hate their neighbors for their political views:

Resolved, That the Senate recognize that freedom of speech and free speech are sacred ideals of the United States and should protect the freedom to peacefully express thoughts and opinions without fear.

Sections

Politics

The subjects

Blizzard Entertainment, China, Donald Trump, Free Spech, Hong Kong China, Houston Rockets, Marsha Blackburn, New York Times, Oregon, President of the United States, USSenator, United States, University of Southern California, Washington DC