From Nazis to Late Night: Why Free Speech Matters

About this episode

The episode discusses the importance of free speech through historical events involving Nazis and contemporary issues in late-night television.

In 1977, American Nazis fought for the right to march in Skokie, Illinois—a town filled with Holocaust survivors—and won. Nearly fifty years later, late-night host Jimmy Kimmel was suspended for jokes the government says went too far. What connects these moments? Host Ngofeen Mputubwele talks with Aryeh Neier—Holocaust survivor, former ACLU director, and Human Rights Watch co-founder—about why he once defended Nazis’ right to march, and what that case reveals about protecting free speech and democracy today.   Aryeh Neier: Co-founder of Human Rights Watch 

People in this episode

Host: Ngofeen Mputubwele

Guest: Aryeh Neier

Topics covered

• free speech
• democracy
• Holocaust
• Nazis
• late-night television
• civil rights

Keywords

• free speech
• Nazis
• Holocaust
• Jimmy Kimmel
• civil liberties
• ACLU
• democracy

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Human Rights Watch

Places: Skokie, Illinois

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