Legally speaking (in Canada at least), hate speech is a public utterance, publication, or symbolic representation that promotes the vilification and detestation of an identifiable group.
In recent months, I have witnessed the proliferation of lawn signs stating, “Hate has no home here.” Those displaying these signs are by and large well-meaning folk who feel that their message telegraphs support to those who might otherwise feel marginalized. A more effective message would state, “We welcome all kinds; we love YOU!” Instead, the signage implies that there’s a certain kind of person who is not welcome. These deplorables are being vilified and detested. In other words, the anti-hate movement is itself promoting hate. With the advent of the COVID era, due to the efforts of some, there has been an effort to characterize those who oppose lockdowns and various other misguided forms of government overreach as “haters.”