It is new. Historically, the left aggressively defended its opponent’s right to freedom of speech and assembly on the understanding that legalized limits on free speech will ultimately be used against the left more than it will be used against the right.
An often cited American example is the ACLU defending the rights of Nazis and Ku Klux Klan members to speak freely and assemble.
An often cited American example is the ACLU defending the rights of Nazis and Ku Klux Klan members to speak freely and assemble.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/06/us/aclu-free-speech.html
The real story is that the historical left no longer exists.