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Limits to protest, speech and views on Holocaust Denial, in the United States

In the United States free speech is considered to be constitutionally protected by the first amendment. Americans acknowledge that are lines not to be crossed and that, in effect, free speech is not absolute. There are ongoing debates about where the lines should be drawn when it comes to racist views and/or the speech, public protests and Holocaust denial. A November 22-24 2024 survey of Americans was conducted by the firm Leger USA for the Metropolis Institute that identifies those lines as it reveals that Americans believe that free speech should be protected even when it involves the expression of overtly racist views but nonetheless support limits to free speech when it comes to hate speech targeting specific groups and do not consider holocaust denial as free speech. A plurality of Americans (48%) do not believe that Holocaust denial should qualify as free speech. When it comes to public protests, most Americans (48%) do not believe that protesters should be allowed to wear masks to hide their faces and the majority (67%) do not think that vandalism of public / commercial property is acceptable even if aims to send a political message. There are however important generational differences when it comes to public protesting. While Americans over the age of 30 don’t agree that people should be allowed to wear masks to hide their faces when protesting in public, half the respondents between the ages of 18 and 29 support mask wearing for protesters. Younger Americans are also more likely to feel that there are circumstances under which vandalizing public / commercial property to send a political message is acceptable. When it comes to free speech and Holocaust denial there are important differences between men and women with men more likely to agree that Holocaust denial should qualify as free speech and that even overtly racist views merit protection. The survey was conducted by Leger USA for the Metropolis Institute with 1009 respondents over the period November 22-24, 2024 and has a probabilistic margin of error of ±3.9%, 19 times out of 20

Equity in question

On Monday November 25, the world's largest retailer, Walmart rolled back its diversity, equity and inclusion policies, joining a growing list of major corporations that have done the same after such policies have come under increased scrutiny. The Government of Canada has legislative commitments to DEI in hiring and representation of racial minorities is regarded as an important outcome in achieving government hiring goals and is also often required amongst employers that with contractual relationships with the Government. Yet there is clearly pushback on DEI approaches that extend to hiring practices and support for employment equity (affirmative action in the US) appears to be softening both in Canada perhaps more so than it is in the United States. This conclusion is drawn from a survey conducted by Leger Marketing for the Association for Canadian Studies which reveals that some 57% of Canadians disagree that when hiring people, it is important for employers to take into account their cultural background (e.g., racial status / visible minority). In the United States some 46% disagree with taking cultural background into account when hiring. The survey was conducted by Leger for the Association for Canadian Studies with 1539 respondents in Canada over the period November 22 to 24, 2024. A margin of error cannot be associated with a non-probability sample in a panel survey for comparison purposes. A probability sample of 1539 respondents would have a margin of error of ±2.5%, 19 times out of 20. In the United States, the survey was conducted by Leger with 1009 respondents over the period November 22-24, 2024 and has a probabilistic margin of error of ±3.9%, 19 times out of 20.

Canadians and Americans on prospects for peace in January

Foreign Fighters: A Review of Recent Findings Through a Canadian Lens

Researching Terrorism and Security: Asking the Right (Follow-Up) Questions

Dimensions Of Social Banking And Financial Inclusion Programs In India: Lessons From Desjardins

The Covid Pandemic in Canada: Seen Five Years Later…for…The 2nd Edition of Metropolis Social Determinants of Health

On December 12, 2019 a cluster of patients in China’s Hubei Province, in the city of Wuhan, begin to experience the symptoms of an atypical pneumonia-like illness that does not respond well to standard treatments. December 31, 2019. The World Health Organization (WHO) in China is informed of several cases of a pneumonia of unknown cause with symptoms including shortness of breath and fever occurring in Wuhan, China. The virus soon spread across the world, and by March 2020, the WHO designated it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Many governments, Canada included imposed restrictions aimed as stopping its spread (i.e. lockdowns, mask wearing, large gathering limits and quarantines for those infected. After three years, the official WHO death toll from the virus neared seven million people (though believe the actual number is much higher). The economic consequences were seen as the worst since the Great Depression, with global supply-chain and labor-force disruptions. Yet it is saw the quickest production of vaccines.

Protest and Free Speech

IMMIGRATION, IDENTITIES AND INTEGRATION: BEYOND THE ECONOMIC CONCERNS OVER IMMIGRATION

Metropolis Action Guide On Immigration & Integration

Canada is often recognized as a nation of immigrants, with much of its historical growth and demographic vitality rooted in the contributions of newcomers. Achieving the country’s demographic and economic goals hinges on maintaining a strong immigration pathway. Investing in and strengthening the immigration system is essential for securing Canada’s future. In the face of shifting global migration patterns, the release of the Metropolis Action Guide on Immigration & Integration (MAGII) is particularly timely. There is an increasing need to educate Canadians about the history of immigration and its ongoing impact on the country, ensuring a shared understanding and awareness. The MAGII outlines the challenges newcomers face in key areas, drawing insights from the settlement sector across the country. It serves as an important initial step toward mobilizing this sector and emphasizes its crucial role as a partner to policymakers in the newcomer settlement and integration process. The guide offers valuable information and recommendations designed to improve dialogue and decision-making, with the goal of developing inclusive and equitable policies that benefit both newcomers and all Canadians. Ultimately, it seeks to promote understanding, encourage a commitment to inclusion, and help eliminate discrimination and racism in all its forms. This guide summarizes eight key Immigration and Settlement Policy areas along with calls to action that demonstrate how immigration can support sound public policy.

US Opinion on Jewish and Palestinian Self Determination

Are most Americans Zionists? A survey conducted by Leger USA for the Metropolis Institute reveals that 54% of Americans agree that Jews have a right to self-determination in Israel (generally regarded as the text book definition of Zionism). The Leger USA-Metropolis survey further reveals that more Americans recognize the right of Jews to self-determination in Israel than they do for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza at 41%. The latter observation is true for all major demographics with the exception of Americans age 18-29 for whom a higher percentage believe that the Palestinians have a right to self-determination (36%) in the West Bank and Gaza compared to Jews in Israel (31%). The survey was conducted was conducted prior to the US elections (over the period September 27-29, 2024 with a sample of 1006 Americans) Yet, the results provide a key insight into the country’s strong commitment to the Jewish state as Americans wait to see how President elect Trump manages the very volatile situation in the region.

Understanding what we’re supposed to remember on Remembrance Day : One in four Canadians Say they have very little or no understanding of what happened during World War II

Holocaust Skepticism in Canada: Understanding Genocide and Holocaust

The November 1938 pogrom (Kristallnacht) proved to be a precursor to the destruction of European Jewry during the Holocaust. Literally translated as the Night of Broken Glass, the pogrom, which took place from the late hours of November 9th, throughout the 10th at which time most of Germany's synagogues and Jewish prayer rooms were burnt down. Jewish owned shops and businesses were looted and their equipment destroyed. Some 30,000 Jews were sent to concentration camps in Dachau at which time most of Germany's synagogues and Jewish prayer rooms were burnt down. Jewish owned shops and businesses were looted and their equipment destroyed. Some 30,000 Jews were sent to concentration camps in Dachau, Buchenwald and Sachsenhausen. They were only released if they undertook to emigrate and to hand over their property to the Reich. The anniversary of Kristallnacht comes at a time when skepticism about the Holocaust appears to be on the rise. To that end ACS commissioned Leger to ask whether Jews exaggerate the Holocaust, whether they understand the meaning of genocide, how they define it and how views on such questions influence their opinion (s) on contemporary global conflicts. The survey was conducted by the firm Leger Marketing for the Association for Canadian Studies over the period September 20-22, 2024 with a sample of 1612 Canadians.

Immigration and Identities

Recent surveys conducted by Leger for ACS and the Environics Institute both confirmed that a majority of Canadians felt that there were too many immigrants coming to the country. Last week the government of Canada announced a twenty-five percent reduction in the annual immigration targets for the years from an initially projected 500 000 in 2025 to the revised number of 395 000 in 2025, 380 000 in 2026 and 365 000 in 2027. Observers tend to attribute the growing concern about the annual number of immigrant to economic preoccupations (i.e. rising costs, housing affordability and availability). But surveys have also revealed additional concerns relative to newcomer integration. How are such concerns reflected in public opinion. That which follows asks Canadians about the transmission of customs and traditions, the public display of religious symbols and negative opinion of religious minorities. Three in four Canadians agree that it is important to transmit our customs and traditions to our children. But the support is somewhat qualified when it comes to the display of religious symbols in public. In effect, some in three Canadians believe that To avoid being the object of discrimination it is best for people to stop wearing religious symbols on the street (kippah, hijabs or crosses). Quebecers in particular feel that discrimination is avoided by not displaying such religious symbols in public with nearly 50% holding that view. Paradoxically, Quebecers are most likely to believe that it is important to transmit customs and traditions to children. The survey was conducted by the firm Leger Marketing for the Association for Canadian Studies over the period September 20-22, 2024 with a sample of 1612 Canadians.

Hate Expression Online

National surveys reveal that a majority of Americans say that hate is on the rise in their country. Hate manifests itself most frequently online and its spread is seen as a growing problem in various countries. What do Americans do when they see the expression of hate on line? A survey commissioned by the Metropolis Institute reveals that most Americans say they ignore it. Doing so raises a serious concern around the normalization in the spread of hate. The survey was conducted by the firm Leger USA for the Metropolis Institute over the period September 27-29, 2024 with a sample of 1006 Americans.

Holocaust Skepticism in the US

The November 1938 pogrom (Kristallnacht) proved to be a precursor to the destruction of European Jewry during the Holocaust. Literally translated as the Night of Broken Glass during the late hours of November 9th, throughout the 10th most of Germany's synagogues and Jewish prayer rooms were burnt down. Jewish owned shops and businesses were looted and their equipment destroyed. Some 30,000 Jews were sent to concentration camps and were only released if they undertook to emigrate and to hand over their property to the Reich. Some 86 years later, a national survey of Americans reveals that some one in eight Americans under 45 years of age believe that the Holocaust is exaggerated and most of this group believe that Jews exaggerate the Holocaust. The survey was conducted by the firm Leger USA for the Metropolis Instiutute over the period September 27-29, 2024 with a sample of 1006 Americans.

Are there too many immigrants in the US?

A June 2024 Gallup survey revealed that 55% of Americans want immigration levels reduced. According to Gallup, that’s the highest level seen since 2001 (https:// news.gallup.com/poll/647123/sharply-americans-curb-immigration.aspx). As the US elections approach, the issue of immigration has remained at the very front of the agenda and a survey conducted in the United States by the firm Leger USA for the Metropolis Institute points to similar levels of angst when it comes to immigrant numbers. The Metropolis Leger survey further reveals that the view that there are too many immigrants cuts across all demographics including those persons not born in the United States and that identify with racial minorities. The trend serves as a reminder that the issue of immigration is a concern to many of the Democrats core constituencies. The survey was conducted by the firm Leger Marketing for the Metropolis Institute over the period September 27-29, 2024 with a sample of 1006 Americans.

Preserving heritage and displaying identities in the US

Despite the view that America is a melting pot that favors some form of assimilation of newcomers there is a fairly wide consensus in the United States that it is important to transmit customs and traditions to our children according to a survey was conducted by the firm Leger USA for the Metropolis Institute. That said, in practice that idea may give rise to varying meanings. For example while most Americans agree that to prevent being a victim of discrimination it is best for people to stop wearing religious symbols on the street (kippas, hijabs or crosses), some one in six think it is a good idea and over one in five don’t know. Hence Americans support for promotion of one’s heritage is tempered somewhat by concern with such public display being a possible source of discrimination. The survey was conducted over the period September 27-29, 2024 with a sample of 1006 Americans.

Pride in America remains high

As the United States approaches a defining Presidential election, most citizens remain very proud of their country as revealed in a survey for Metropolis Institute conducted by Leger USA. The survey was conducted by the firm Leger Marketing for the Metropolis Institute over the period September 27-29, 2024 with a sample of 1006 Americans.

Americans do not feel that they are settler colonists

Narratives around settlement and colonization are acquiring greater importance in the academy and civil society in North America. Reminders of the important place of Indigenous peoples in North America have seen a sharp rise in land acknowledgements across the continent (more so in Canada than in the United States). There has also been more frequent reference to Indigenous and settler colonist descriptive to characterize the ‘two peoples’ of North America. The indigenous-settler binary is however a form of labeling that appears to be widely rejected by North Americans as revealed in a survey in the United States asking whether Americans agree that they are settler colonists. The survey was conducted by the firm Leger Marketing for the Metropolis Institute over the period September 27-29, 2024 with a sample of 1006 Americans.

Negative sentiment towards Immigrants in Canada is on the rise

In the month of September the share of Canadians that believe that Canada is admitting too many newcomers attained yet another record with nearly two in three Canadians saying there were too many. Indeed almost no Canadian surveyed feels that there are too few immigrants. Yet another change we’re seeing from previous polling is a sharp rise in negative sentiment towards immigrants increasing by 13 points from May 2024, from 28% holding a negative opinion to 41% in September, A relatively high percentage of Canadians (43%) say they have little or no understanding of immigration policies in Canada. The survey was conducted by the firm Leger Marketing for the Association for Canadian Studies over the period September 20-22, 2024 with a sample of 1612 Canadians. A margin of error cannot be associated with a non-probability sample in a panel survey for comparison purposes.

Negative sentiment towards immigrants in Canada is on the rise (alternate edition)

In the month of September the share of Canadians that believe that Canada is admitting too many newcomers attained yet another record with nearly two in three Canadians saying there were too many. Indeed almost no Canadian surveyed feels that there are too few immigrants. Yet another change we’re seeing from previous polling is a sharp rise in negative sentiment towards immigrants increasing by 13 points from May 2024, from 28% holding a negative opinion to 41% in September, A relatively high percentage of Canadians (43%) say they have little or no understanding of immigration policies in Canada

ONLINE HATE AND WHO IS SEEN AS THE MAIN VICTIMS OF HATE CRIMES IN CANADA

Canadians are increasingly observing increases in hate expression online as some three quarters of Canadians believe it is on the rise. For many Canadians the degree of hate expression online is so pervasive that it becomes somewhat banal to Canadians. Hence, some 60% of Canadians ignore the expression of hate when they see it online. With police authorities reporting a considerable increase in hate crimes, we asked Canada in an open format question to name the group that they felt was most likely to be the target of hate crimes. Jews topped the list with 23% of respondents identifying the group as the most likely target while 10% named Muslims who were seen as the second most likely target of hate crimes. There were important differences in perceptions on the basis of gender and age. The survey was conducted by the firm Leger Marketing for the Association for Canadian Studies over the period September 20-22, 2024 with a sample of 1612 Canadians.

Online hate and who is seen as the main victims of hate crimes in Canada

Canadians are increasingly observing increases in hate expression on line as some three quarters of Canadians believe it is on the rise. For many Canadians the degree of hate expression on line is so pervasive that it becomes somewhat banal to Canadians. Hence, some 60% of Canadians ignore the expression of hate when they see it on line. With police authorities reporting a considerable increase in hate crimes, we asked Canada in an open format question to name the group that they felt was most likely to be the target of hate crimes. Jews topped the list with 23% of respondents identifying the group as the most likely target while 10% named Muslims who were seen as the second most likely target of hate crimes. There were important differences in perceptions on the basis of gender and age. The survey was conducted by the firm Leger Marketing for the Association for Canadian Studies over the period September 20-22, 2024 with a sample of 1612 Canadians.