Yelling “Fire!” in a Crowded Theater

From: F
Sent: Wednesday, October 23, 2019 4:38 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Yelling “Fire!” in a Crowded Theater

https://www.lewrockwell.com/lrc-blog/yelling-fire-in-a-crowded-theature/

If A is correct, wouldn’t that mean the theater owner or anyone hurt in the incident would have legal recourse for damages in a civil court against the person yelling fire.

If the police arrest him for a criminal violation, doesn’t that again bring up the issue of free speech?

Thanks!

F

Dear F:

Yes, the theater owner or anyone hurt in the incident would have legal recourse for damages in a civil court against the person yelling fire.

Yes, it may well bring up the issue of free speech, but, there’s no such thing as free speech apart from property rights, and the theater owns the property rights in question.

You can’t some into my house without my permission and start spouting Shakespeare, and when I tell you to leave claim I’m violating your free speech rights. You have no such rights on my property.

Best regards,

Walter

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2:33 am on November 10, 2019