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March 24, 2006
March for Free Expression in London
[ UPDATE: The March for Free Expression is only for free expression if it doesn't offend Muslims. Well, censoring speech that offends Muslims was kind of the point of the world-wide attempt to intimidate the West, which attempt this rally is supposed to be protesting. And there has been some discussion in the comments here about whether to participate in the rally if right-wing groups also participate. The pro-war side has been very critical of the antiwar movement for allowing Stalinist extremist groups like A.N.S.W.E.R. to seize control of the infrastructure for creating and running these protests. So maybe it would be hypocritical for us to sneer at the leftists who use the same logic to steer clear of this free speech rally. Harry's Place is debating this issue.]
I am going to keep this post at the top until March 25th.
March for Free Expression is the UK version of the various rallies in support of Denmark that have taken place over the past few weeks. Unlike our gatherings, it is very well-organized with speakers, media attention, and coordinated banners and signs. More power to them. If you are in the UK or elsewhere in Europe, consider participating this event.
Rally in Trafalgar Square
2:00pm and 4:00pm
Saturday March 25th 2006
Speakers lined up so far:
* Evan Harris, MP. Lib Dem human rights spokesman
* Maryam Namazie, Broadcaster & Human Rights Campaigner
* Keith Porteous Wood, National Secular Society
* Mark Wallace, The Freedom Association
Statement of Principle:
The strength and survival of free society and the advance of human knowledge depend on the free exchange of ideas. All ideas are capable of giving offence, and some of the most powerful ideas in human history, such as those of Galileo and Darwin, have given profound religious offence in their time.The free exchange of ideas depends on freedom of expression and this includes the right to criticise and mock. We assert and uphold the right of freedom of expression and call on our elected representatives to do the same. We abhor the fact that people throughout the world live under mortal threat simply for expressing ideas and we call on our elected representatives to protect them from attack and not to give comfort to the forces of intolerance that besiege them.
Judith | 03/24/06 at 12:30 PM | Categories: - Power to the People
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Blogs which link to March for Free Expression in London:
» Report on the London Anti-Toonophobia Rally from Kesher Talk
Official report from the March for Free Expression in London today. Photos from Samizdata:... [Read More]
Tracked on March 25, 2006 09:48 PM
Comments
I think there are some problems with this event. Firstly, the National Secular Society are vociferous opponents of faith schools and would like them all to be shut down, including Jewish schools. Secondly, the Freedom Association is a group of far right English nationalists with a track record of opposing unionization and an overtly anti-Muslim (as opposed to anti-Islamist) stance. See:
http://www.tfa.net/pdfs/10608.pdf
For this reason, almost no left wing or trade union groups have endorsed the event.
Judy | March 18, 2006 07:15 PM
Judy: "I think there are some problems with this event".
Is that because people you disagree with are marching in support of their freedom of speech?
The National Secular Society won't be marching Saturday to call for an end to faith schools - they'll be demonstrating in favor of freedom of expression.
The Freedom Association is undoubtedly a right-wing organization, but they're not extremists, nor are they anti-Muslim.
There will, I am sure, be many people at Saturday's demonstration whose views are very different from my own, but we'll march together with one aim - to protect freedom of expression.
The organizers have gone to great lengths to make two things clear:
(1) This is not a march against Muslims.
(2) Fascist and racist groups such as the British National Party will not be welcome.
I am happy to support the demonstration on that basis.
George Junior | March 19, 2006 07:26 AM
: almost no left wing or trade union groups have endorsed the event
and you see that as a reason not to go?
jonathan riley | March 19, 2006 11:25 PM
George-- if you read what I quoted from some of the main supporters, you will see why I believe this will turn out to be a primarily anti-Muslim event. The Freedom Association calims it isn't racist, but includes on its web site stuff which I quoted, which I regard as heavily tinged with xenophobia and racism.
Jonathan-- this is itself would not be a reason not to go,but it would indicate that there's an issue, since there are left wing and trade union groups who consistently join in support for Denmark. A member of one group, Democratiya, was going to be a speaker, but withdrew participation because of the known record of the Freedom Association's chosen speaker for the event.
Judy | March 20, 2006 03:31 AM
A recent article published by Dr. Manfred Gerstenfeld: "The Mohammed-Cartoon Controversy, Israel, and the Jews: A Case Study"
http://www.jcpa.org/phas/phas-043-gerstenfeld.htm >
Should be interesting to many of us normal readers
JBlogger | March 21, 2006 07:31 AM
I can't take Gerstenfeld seriously. If you ever read his commentary on a subject you know he plays fast and loose with the facts
Dave | March 21, 2006 11:00 PM
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