Freedom of Dissent 1968 General Resolution

WHEREAS, controversy over foreign policy and civil rights has been attended by violence, including physical assault and public abuse directed towards those expressing a controversial point of view; and

WHEREAS, controversial spokesmen have at times been denied permission to speak in public places; and

WHEREAS, those who remain silent while violence and abuse continue must share responsibility for the destruction of one of the most precious features of our heritage, the right to speak our conscience freely;

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED: That the 1967 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association recognizes and supports national and local leaders who have defended the right to give peaceful and public expression of dissent and urges all responsible national and local leaders to follow their example, and reaffirms the right of all persons to give peaceful and public expression of dissent from established policies and to ensure that such persons receive the protection to which they are entitled by law. We further urge that public facilities (including the facilities of the Unitarian and Universalist churches and fellowships) be made readily available for speakers with diverse viewpoints to express themselves publicly; and call upon the communications media to provide more equitable opportunity for presentation of dissent from majority points of view.