Part 4/14:
This encounter exemplifies a broader trend where perception replaces evidence in defining hate crimes, leading to a chilling effect on speech. The police are encouraged to record any incident perceived as motivated by hate, without needing proof—a dangerous precedent that threatens free expression.
Moreover, these non-crime Hate Incidents can tarnish reputations, appear on criminal background checks, and be used to stifle dissent, effectively creating a system of thought control reminiscent of totalitarian regimes.