Irish Republican Army Quotes

In a democracy, expressing disagreement with the government’s actions does not amount to sedition or insurrection—it is, and must remain, protected speech.

We may be so eager to protect the right to dissent that we lose sight of the difference between dissent and subversion.

I am proud to be a traitor to America.

Political rights have been preserved by traitors.

Here in America we are descended in blood and in spirit from revolutionists and rebels -- men and women who dare to dissent from accepted doctrine. As their heirs, we may never confuse honest dissent with disloyal subversion

I can imagine no greater disservice to the country than to establish a system of censorship that would deny to the people of a free republic like our own their indisputable right to criticize their own public officials. While exercising the great powers of the office I hold, I would regret in a crisis like the one through which we are now passing to lose the benefit of patriotic and intelligent criticism.

The right to free speech is critical to our democracy.

No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.

We're quite lucky that we've got political freedoms. We should be using them.

Free societies are societies in which the right of dissent is protected.

We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of America dies with it.

My position is that it isn't government's job to mandate patriotism. To me, mandating a pledge of allegiance to a government is something Saddam Hussein would do.

In a democracy, dissent is an act of faith.

Men in authority will always think that criticism of their policies is dangerous. They will always equate their policies with patriotism, and find criticism subversive.

What is good about the United States is the sense that you can disagree with the government and not be seen as unpatriotic, although many in the government will try to make you seem unpatriotic.

If you say something that undermines the stability of the country, then you have to be held accountable.

But why shouldn't I speak out? Don't you speak out in this country?

One of the best ways to get yourself a reputation as a dangerous citizen these days is to go about repeating the very phrases which our founding fathers used in the great struggle for Independence.

A traitor is a good fruit to hang from the boughs of the tree of liberty.

Fear of serious injury alone cannot justify suppression of free speech and assembly.

Our birthright under the 1st Amendment is to foster the voices of dissent.

How can that popular will express itself except by meetings, by speeches, by publications, by petitions, and by addresses to the representatives of the people? Any man who seeks to set a limit upon those rights, whether in war or peace, aims a blow at the most vital part of our government.... And before this great fundamental right [freedom of speech] every other must, if necessary, give way, for in no other manner can representative government be preserved.

You are the non-patriots, and you are the un-Americans, and you ought to be ashamed of yourselves.

… disagreement with the policies of the government is not evidence of lack of patriotism.

No Stamp Act, No Sedition Act, No Alien Bills, No Land Tax, downfall to the Tyrants of America; peace and retirement to the President; Long Live the Vice President.