How does hate speech cause violence?

Answer 1

It doesn't ! - The opposite, - that the SUPPRESSION of hate speech causes violence, - may well be true.

Example:

Article 134 of the Yugoslav criminal code in early 1990s punished with up to ten years imprisonment the person who "incites or fans national, racial or religious hatred or discord between peoples and nationalities".

Answer 2

Hate Speech has the ability to incite individuals to take violent action. Words stir passions and can bring generally peaceful people to the point where they seriously consider harming another person. Almost every Western government has passed laws restricting hate speech in order to protect its citizenry. The enforcement of these laws, contrary to Answer 1's perspective, actual prevents social strife. For example, the Yugoslav provision above was designed to prevent the types of genocide that occurred during the Yugoslav Wars in the 1990s. By silencing individuals who argue that their enemies are subhuman and worthy of death, fewer people are willing to commit heinous crimes.