Statement of Purpose: Why we oppose the nazis

Call to Action Against National Neo-Nazi Rally in Lansing, Michigan:
Although some people say that ignoring the Nazis is the best way to oppose them, we know from experience that ignoring a problem never makes it go away. Some people say that the NSM is just a fringe group but their websites: www.nsm88.com www.overthrow.com get over 9,000 hits a day.

If hate groups do not encounter opposition to their activities in a community, they'll take that to mean no one is willing to stand against them. Not directly opposing the Nazis isolates the people they target - people of color, immigrants, religious or ethnic minorities, lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgender people, the disabled, womyn, etc. - making these communities feel like no one will support them. Because we recognize the struggles of these targeted groups of people and do not wish to ignore them, LCAN supports a visible and vocal counter-demonstration to the Nazi rally on April 22.

Other opponents of counter demonstrating say the Nazis should be allowed to speak because of the constitutional right to free speech. We say that giving racists and other bigots "free speech" silences the voices of entire groups of people through intimidation. We say that it is not just free speech because racist propaganda leads to racist violence.