A poll has found that a disturbing number of Americans believe speech can be equated with physical violence.

The October poll by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) discovered that 80 percent of respondents somewhat agreed with the statement “words can be violence.”

Twenty-two percent said that they “completely” agree with the statement.

The poll further registered that only 12 percent of Gen Z respondents disagreed that speech could be violence.

The spookiest stat this Halloween is the average American’s opinions about free speech👻

Recent polling by FIRE reveals that 4 out of 5 Americans think ‘words can be violence’ & only a third think citizens should have the right to use profanity when speaking to politicians pic.twitter.com/XrrDSh3xG2

— FIRE (@TheFIREorg) October 31, 2024

Describing the findings as “shocking,” Greg Lukianoff, FIRE President and CEO, said in a press release “Free speech isn’t violence, it’s the best alternative to violence ever invented.”

He further urged, “Equating words with violence trivializes actual physical harm, shuts down conversations, and even encourages real violence by justifying the use of force against offensive speech.”

Of course, Democrats were found to be more likely to agree speech can be violence, with a massive 89 percent expressing some form of agreement.

However, close to three quarters of Republicans, 73 percent, as well as 72 percent of independents also agreed with the sentiment.

The poll also found that 85 percent said they have to self censor their speech, while close to 40 percent say they fear losing their job because of someone complaining about something they have said.

Only 55 percent said they believe they should have the right to post parody material mocking political candidates to social media.

A majority of 54 percent said that no one should have the right to use profanity when speaking with elected officials.

Have these people even heard of the First Amendment?

“You absolutely have the First Amendment right to use profanity when speaking to politicians,” said FIRE Chief Research Advisor Sean Stevens. “Some would say they’re the ones who deserve it most.”

A total of 64 percent said free speech in the country is on the wrong track, with more than 40 percent saying the right to free speech is “not very” or “not at all” secure.

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