Buckley Institute

“Forty-five percent (45%) agree that physical violence can be justified to prevent a person from using hate speech or making racially charged comments, while 50% disagree,”

Buckley Institute · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-20

The Buckley Institute survey found that 45% of students agree physical violence can be justified to prevent hate speech or racially charged comments.

“Four in ten (40%) agree that offensive speech should be subject to criminal prosecution, while 52% disagree. Agreement is up seven points from last year and is the highest in the three years this question has been asked,”

Buckley Institute · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-20

A recent Buckley Institute survey found that 40% of college students agree offensive speech should be subject to criminal prosecution, the highest level in three years.

“Agreement is up six points from last year and ties the all-time high of 45% set in 2023. In 2017, the first year this question was asked, agreement was 30%.”

Buckley Institute · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-20

The survey states that agreement on justifying violence to stop hate speech is up six points from last year and ties the all-time high set in 2023.