BASH BACK

The Free Speech Union has always been clear that the right to free speech does not include the right to break the law in an attempt to silence others or deprive them of their freedom of speech through fear and intimidation. Tonight in the House of Lords, FSU General Secretary Lord Young of Acton spoke in favour of Amendment 370A to the Crime and Policing Bill. Last Monday, the Free Speech Union was the victim of a malicious attack by a militant pro-trans ‘direct action’ group that encourages its supporters to steal hammers and take action against Members of Parliament. This is the same group that graffitied the Health Secretary’s constituency office — painting “child killer” on his window — vandalised the offices of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), and disrupted a women’s conference in Brighton. The group sought to silence us for defending the right of citizens — whom they disagree with — to express their views freely. Everyone has the right to disagree. Healthy, robust debate strengthens our policymaking and society. But groups that engage in criminal activity — including advocating violence — restrict the liberties of others. This is wrong. The amendment would create a new category of “Extreme Criminal Protest Groups” (ECPGs), targeting organisations that deliberately break the law to influence public policy or intimidate those defending our fundamental rights. Watch Lord Young below 👇