Thank heavens that I don’t live in the UK. The fact that freedom of speech is held in such low esteem there is a clear sign that they are acting out of fear instead of principle when it comes to maintaining a free society.
It seems UK defines hate speech differently depending on who incites. Some people are allowed to incite while others aren't- kind of like US universities.
FIRE's mission focuses on America, but we've been banging on about the situation in the UK for a long time. I was in London last October sounding the alarm on radio and in public speeches.
Remember that day in 2017 when the First Amendment was temporarily suspended? There was a march to protest the impending removal of the Lee Statue. Antifa and allies decided they had to stop it. The police chief said "Let them fight, it will easier to shut it down." Normally, of course, police separate the two opposing groups, but not this time. There was some mutual combat or maybe simply acts in self-defense by the pro-Lee protesters, yet only those from one side spent time in jail or prison. The true story was in the official report by ex-US Attorney Heaphy, but no one paid attention to it so Heaphy went on to become chief investigative counsel for the dubious Jan 6 Committee. No "hate speech" laws were needed to carry out this project, just a 21st Century more moderate equivalent of lynch law. Trump objected a bit for one day, everyone else joined in the wolf pack or remained silent.
Thank heavens that I don’t live in the UK. The fact that freedom of speech is held in such low esteem there is a clear sign that they are acting out of fear instead of principle when it comes to maintaining a free society.
It seems UK defines hate speech differently depending on who incites. Some people are allowed to incite while others aren't- kind of like US universities.
That’s what makes hate speech laws a bad idea generally. They are _always_ applied selectively.
Better late than never.
But I wish FIRE had spoken up about this sooner. And I wish they had said something about Sam Melia.
I have been talking about the situation in Britain for at least 10 years
FIRE's mission focuses on America, but we've been banging on about the situation in the UK for a long time. I was in London last October sounding the alarm on radio and in public speeches.
Greg has also hardly been silent on this:
https://eternallyradicalidea.com/p/online-censorship-in-the-uk-has-led?utm_source=publication-search
https://eternallyradicalidea.com/p/word-wars-the-british-empire-strikes?utm_source=publication-search
https://eternallyradicalidea.com/p/censors-nerf-the-world-the-uk-goes?utm_source=publication-search
https://eternallyradicalidea.com/p/barbara-oakley-launches-mooc-feat?utm_source=publication-search
Remember that day in 2017 when the First Amendment was temporarily suspended? There was a march to protest the impending removal of the Lee Statue. Antifa and allies decided they had to stop it. The police chief said "Let them fight, it will easier to shut it down." Normally, of course, police separate the two opposing groups, but not this time. There was some mutual combat or maybe simply acts in self-defense by the pro-Lee protesters, yet only those from one side spent time in jail or prison. The true story was in the official report by ex-US Attorney Heaphy, but no one paid attention to it so Heaphy went on to become chief investigative counsel for the dubious Jan 6 Committee. No "hate speech" laws were needed to carry out this project, just a 21st Century more moderate equivalent of lynch law. Trump objected a bit for one day, everyone else joined in the wolf pack or remained silent.
Trump caused J6 Insurrection by saying "fight" in a speach.