If hate speech was'nt protected by free speech, then the government could make rules regarding what hate speech is and decide what the punishment for said hate speech should be, since everyone has a different idea on what hate speech is, this could lead to extreme problems with censorship. I do not think targetted harrassment, or advokating for violence (that would lead to immediate lawlessness) are protected by free speach and should be punished. In short, yes, free speach does in fact protect hate speech unless otherwise noted (as in the Russian constitution). Look up whitney v. california and Brandenburg v. Ohio if you want proof given by the U.S Supreme Court.
