The reason why people resort to desperate measures in an attempt to silence the speech of another is fear that the audience, if allowed to listen, may find the speaker's differing ideas to be worthy of serious consideration, and perhaps even persuasive.  Political history is replete with evidence to confirm that conclusion.  People who are confident that their positions are correct and just should not be uncomfortable about subjecting their opinions to challenge or submitting their arguments to be tested in the marketplace of ideas.  

It is an old saying that remains a cornerstone of our country's culture and proud heritage:  I may not agree with what you have to say, but I will fiercely defend your right to say it.  As I've mentioned here before, I'm convinced that the main reason we now find ourselves in this uneasy situation is because so many have for too long refused to listen to the voices of those who don't entirely share their views and values.  Both sides have been guilty of summarily rejecting the views of others as meritless, preferring to villify and label "adversaries" with hackneyed epithets rather than extending the common courtesy of simply listening to them and considering whether their concerns might have some legitimacy.  

It's obvious that we can't move forward as a country to address the problems confronting us without resolving our differences sufficiently to reach some workable compromises; and we can't resolve our differences through compromise until each side is willing to listen to the other and make a genuine effort to find some common ground for agreement regarding which problems warrant priority attention, and how to solve those issues effectively and fairly.  Whether we can ever again bridge the divide and reach that level of mutual trust remains to be seen.  But this much is for certain:  We won't get there by silencing the voices of those with whom we disagree, or by advocating categorical "resistance" against every policy or proposal advanced by the other side.  If you disagree with a law, then persuade your elected representatives that it's wrong and ought to be changed; and if they disagree, then persuade your fellow citizens to elect new representatives.  That's how the system is designed to work.  And I believe it will continue to work fine if we respect it and follow it.