Funny. I would have expected the "Free Speech Union" and the other self-proclaimed defenders of free expression to be all over this. But š¦š¦š¦
How strange.
Outrage after retired priest arrested for supporting Palestine Action amid UK crackdown on pro-Palestine activism
Toby Young only represents nazis and pedos.
Just says it all, doesn't it. Truly predictable. What has this world turned into.
If Jesus was alive today he would be standing shoulder to shoulder with the Reverend Sue. What an enlightened and awe inspiring person she is. We are all Palestine Action.
Well thatās the āfor me but not for theeā effect isnāt it?
CHIRP CHIRP CHIRP
Sometimes the silence is deafening.
Weāve been downgraded: thecritic.co.uk/the-uk-is-no...
For the first time since records began, the United Kingdom is no longer classified as an āOpenā country in a leading global ranking of freedom of expression. In its latest Global Expression Reportā¦
The "Free Speech Union" isn't about "Free Speech" at all, it's just a convenient title to disguise what/who they actually are.
They're just a front for anti-communism and nothing more, that's the same bunch who once equated wearing a face mask to communism and/or slavery, they're a peculiar lot.
If I was a cynic, which I'm obviously not, I might think it was because they're only interested in being able to spout their bigotry with impunity.
@teamlabouruk.bsky.social - have you lost your senses? You're siding with the corrupt, genocidal Netanyahu who, let's remember, promoted Hamas over the Palestinian Authority.
"This blessed Isle..." š
I've no love for them, but did spot this by Kenan Malik in The Observer (about Bob Vylan but anyway...)
As optics go, for this, or indeed any government, it looks spectacularly bad.
They only give a damn about free speech when they want to say crazy and offensive things.
If they disagree with the speech, they vehemently refuse to protect it, going so far as condemning it and celebrating the suppression of it.
Pure hypocrisy every time.
When a black man calls for death to the IDF on a Glastonbury stage it's incitement, the Chief Rabbi accusses the BBC of spreading "vile Jew hate" and Lisa Nandy at last finds something to do with her time.
White right-winger calls for mass killing at Glastonbury... "satire".
So that's ok then š
Why would you expect that?
Free speech absolutism has always been about some people demanding the 'right' to speak without being spoken back to.
Fascists!
I've been waiting for Toby Young to express his outrage publicly without prompting, as he's done numerous times in the past. I fear I wait in vain for some indication he's not a hypocrite that's full of š©.
Yes. Free speech is for people saying "trans women are men", or "tax cuts raise money by growing the economy", not for people saying "genocide is bad".
Arresting an 83 year old priest is not a policing priority it's a political priority. Just like the last minute banning of a Palestine Action protest from Parliament Square wasn't a policing decision it was a political decision. It would be nice to see Met do more policing, and less politics.
You wonder if even the police are trolling Starmer by arresting an 83 year old priest, who looks like she could be anybody's sweet loving grandma, for the crime of peacefully opposing a genocide
for dogs sake man she's armed with a stick!!!!!!!! look at her!!! you can tell she's a wrong 'un... i just hope the bobbies who are nicking her are OK and uninjured!
Palestine Action caused over Ā£7m worth of damage in their latest attack on the RAF. You can support freedom for Palestine without backing a terrorist organisation.
They only like the kind of free speech that allows them to gratuitously offend - or worse - their political opponents.
@georgemonbiot.bsky.social the hypocrisy breaks me
Isn't Toby Young out marching in her defence?
No, I've just checked, and you're right. Not a sausage from that normally shouty group is saying a thing. Weird.
So err? Thereās zero evidence #PalistineAction has perpetrated any illegal activity and yet a court finds them guilty? Advocating a shut down is not illegal activity itās just free speech opinion.
Seems like the whole world, well at least those who have been in close contact, are affected by Trump stupidity.
Iāve been wondering why this is given so little publicity, is it the Trump effect?
It's not strange. It's basic facism.
She should record a track with Bob Vylan and Kneecap just to really upset them.
Call it āLord To Be Young is Stupid.ā
www.youtube.com/shorts/oMKY4...
YouTube video by Middle East Eye
Come on JD and Elon; Great champions of free speech in Europe.
Free speech means 'mine, not yours'. Hey at least it wasn't I.C.E. Yet.
Cops are class traitors.
Some priests are more dangerous than others.
Itās bullying. An elderly lady is an easy target for the bullies.
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There isn't a centrist or right wing 'free speech defender' who isn't just miffed that they can't say slurs.
I worry, about the limits that are being placed on free speech, around the world. However, I am glad the police do not cover their faces and seem to act with some degree of compassion, unlike the ice agents. Let us hope we do not follow America in their rush to authoritarianism.
Bloody insanity everywhere, I feel like weāre in some global black mirror alternate reality, I really want the episode to end
