How free can speech really be?

Answer 1

about as free as a man in solitary. The US/Canadian governments claim that "freedom of speech" is active in their countries, meaning, you can say whatever you want as long as it's done in a peaceful manner. But I know just in my city, when there are peaceful, simply verbal protests to (e.g.) free Mumia Abu Jamal, or leagalize marijuana, (marijuana marches have been prominent lately) there are police showing up in riot gear, throwing in smoke bombs and beating innocent people. I can expect those types of awful crimes in 3rd world places such as Panama, Africa, But in the middle of a north American city? Ridiculous. I believe this should be examined more closely, because this turned from supervising a protest to full out assault and police brutality.