Protesters who attempt to stop controversial figures from speaking on college campuses are budding tyrants who are dangerous to the nation, according to renowned economist and columnist Walter E. Williams says.
"Tyrants are for free speech until they get power because free speech is a means to spreading propaganda and proselytizing people," Williams told "The Steve Malzberg Show.''
"But once they get power, they want to limit it.''
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He cited the recent protests by Rutgers University faculty members against having former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice deliver the school's commencement speech — protests that caused her t
o back out from speaking.
In addition, a speaking engagement by Somali-born activist
Ayaan Hirsi Ali at Brandeis University was cancelled after officials feared students might be offended by her attacks on radical Islam.
"Hitler, back in the '20s, he would be surely against any restrictions on free speech," Williams said.
"But when he came to power, he had all kinds of restrictions on free speech because once these tyrants come to power, free speech is a liability.''
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