A free speech test in Sudbury

A perennial fringe candidate faces a police investigation for telling high school students that gays and lesbians should be executed:

Police are investigating whether an independent federal candidate committed a hate crime by telling high school students homosexuals should be executed.

David Popescu was invited to participate in a federal candidates' discussion at Sudbury Secondary School yesterday. He made the comment after a student asked his opinion of gay marriage.

Within hours, the Greater Sudbury Police Service said they were investigating.

"We are actively conducting a criminal investigation in this matter," deputy police chief Frank Elsner said.

The police service plans to share its evidence with the provincial Attorney General's office, which will provide direction on whether or not a criminal charge is warranted. More than 200 students gathered in the school's auditorium to hear candidates from the NDP, Liberal Party and the First Peoples National Party.

Popescu introduced himself with a public prayer, blaming environmental damage and economic unrest on the wickedness of society. His comments were met with silence as some students grimaced and shifted in their seats.

Near the end of the more than two-hour event, students were invited to ask the candidates questions. As a long line of pupils waited to speak, Popescu told a young female student who asked about stem cell research that, "God would hurt" those who had an abortion.

The crowd jeered and many rose to their feet in protest after Popescu answered another teenager's question on gay marriage.

During a telephone interview later in the day, Popescu reasserted his view.

"A young man asked me what I think of homosexual marriages and I said I think homosexuals should be executed," he said. "My whole reason for running is the Bible and the Bible couldn't be more clear on that point." Candidates and teachers looked on in silence as students called for him to be "cut off." Despite their outrage, the discussion moved to other topics.

I firmly believe people should have the right to express unpopular opinions, even though others may find them grossly offensive. But even many civil libertarians would draw the line at calling for the violent elimination of minority groups.

But we should also ask whether, as a practical matter, the state should prosecute Popescu for expressing these vile opinions. Right now, he's a kook who faced widespread (and richly deserved) derision from his audience. Put him on trial, though, and he becomes a cause celebre - whose opinions would be disseminated even further, to boot. (As Kathy asks, does hate speech magically become less hateful when it's reprinted in media accounts and official hearing transcripts?)

Damian P.

Posted by damian at October 1, 2008 01:49 PM