The Sediton Act of 1918 was enacted specifically to curtail free speech in the United States. Speaking out against US involvement in WWI was viewed by the government as "disloyal". More than 2,000 Americans were tried for the crime of sedition for speaking out against US involvement, and more than 1,000 convicted.
Similar laws were passed and used to stifle discussions against the Revolutionary War, The Civil War, WWII, and the war in Vietnam.
Freedom of Speech in this country as long been an illusion.
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