Op-Ed: Rep. Marc Molinaro: The consequences of a "globalized Intifada" can't be ignored

"Our response must be resolute. It is not about censorship but about upholding the rule of law and safeguarding the nation from extremism," Rep. Marc Molinaro writes.

The events that unfolded in Manhattan yesterday, on the first day of the New Year, should be a matter of grave concern for every American. A large crowd gathered in the heart of New York City to advocate for a “global intifada” — a chilling rallying cry that calls for violent upheaval on an international scale.

This was not an exercise in peaceful dissent or the free exchange of ideas. It was an unsettling display of incitement, crossing the line from expressing alternative views to promoting violence.

Protesters chanted slogans that glorified global conflict and celebrated ideologies steeped in terror. Some demonstrators even carried flags associated with known terrorist organizations, sending an alarming message that cannot be ignored.

These events unfolded just hours after a man displaying an ISIS flag carried out a brutal attack in New Orleans, killing innocent civilians. Around the same time, an explosion rocked a Trump property in Las Vegas, with investigators exploring potential connections to extremist activity. Amid these tragedies, to witness individuals publicly embracing and celebrating these violent ideologies is a stark reminder of the threats we face.

While the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects the right to free speech, including speech that may be offensive or inflammatory, it does not shield direct incitements to violence or terrorism. Advocacy that glorifies acts of terror or calls for harm undermines the principles of freedom and safety upon which our society is built.

This demonstration was not merely a political protest; it was a bold show of allegiance to groups and movements that openly seek to dismantle democratic values, human dignity, and peace.

Public officials, law enforcement, and private citizens alike must confront this head-on. Turning a blind eye to such displays risks normalizing ideologies of violence, allowing them to fester and spread.

Our response must be resolute. It is not about censorship but about upholding the rule of law and safeguarding the nation from extremism. Extremist groups are exploiting our freedoms to advance agendas that threaten the very fabric of our Republic. Yes, protect free speech — fundamental to our Republic. And, through public condemnation and increased vigilance, we must decisively state opposition to those who willingly take up the call for terror and violence. The stakes are too high to dismiss this threat.

Rep. Marc Molinaro represents New York’s 19th District in Congress.