I learned today that many MSU professors are giving extra credit to students who go to the neo-Nazi rally and join the Noise Blockade of the Nazi rally in Lansing tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon. In addition, many ministers are pushing for their congregations to attend the Noise Blockade, or go to the diversity rally at a local high school fieldhouse.
In another good sign, the NSM has announced that it will not crash the diversity rally and that they would stay in the capitol. That's very good news; they may have gotten wind of the potentially huge turnout of counter-demonstrators in and around the capitol.
Something that made the news tonight caught my attention: state police bus service to and from the rally has been set up for the neo-Nazis into the designated protest area. I don't think I like this idea very much, but if it keeps the protesters apart, then so be it.
The fence is all but set up; I couldn't get downtown to take a good look tonight. Too many road closure signs out and Friday nighters down there. The police are already out in force, making sure that the capitol is secure and ready for tomorrow's rally and counter-rally.
While I loathe the neo-Nazi message and how they choose to express it, they are exercising their First Amendment rights to say what they want. But they should be reminded that inciting to riot is not protected speech; nor is using violence against others to further their hate message.
Look at it this way: the sooner they say their piece, the sooner they'll leave.
And the counter-demonstrators should keep their cool and keep it verbal. The Nazis definitely wouldn't mind a huge free-for-all (as was demonstrated in Toledo last year). Don't give it to them. Violence is unnecessary.
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