'Free speech' is fine. But Google have a right to apologise as well. They didn't block the site, they just posted warnings. I think they did the right thing. It sends a message that such racist material is not ok, is not acceptable. They have as much right to express that sentiment as the original site had to show the pic.

I don't see any conflict with free speech in what happened here. People have a right to express themselves, but that doesn't mean they don't have to then deal with whatever offence or hurt they have caused in so doing. I am glad this picture caused such a storm. I would find it thoroughly depressing if the only thing that caused an outcry was a gay kiss on tv, or some diva showing a nipple.