I had been thinking about blogging about this in the past, but had got distracted and did not do so. Issues about this have been brought up by what happened in New Zealand last week.
A woman, linked to the Far Right, was meant to speak on matters relating to the areas where the rights of women and TransWomen collide and was prevented from doing so. Allegations were made that violence occurred which have been denied by the side accused of this.
This brings up an issue of where freedom of speech can be infringed by the right to protest. This has happened in the past with Jacob Rees-Mogg (as well as others on the right). I will admit to laughing when Nick Griffin of the Far Right BNP was egged outside Parliament, and when Farage had a milkshake thrown over him. But such attacks are wrong and I understand why some subjected to this respond.
Basically, while I disagree with the far right, they have a right to free speech. Action taken by anyone to hinder free speech through violent protest, or drowning them out is wrong. I would consider this wrong if anyone from the left was subjected to it, and the same applies to those I disagree with.
While I agree that the anti-trans activist Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull, also known as Posie Parker, should be allowed to speak I find it hard to be vocal in defending her as I would do with others, mainly because of her links to the Far Right. While JK Rowling has spoken out against this violation of free speech, I am going to sit this one out.
There have been some calls for women in this situation to have men protecting them against those Trans-Rights activists who would engage in the same behaviour. Sadly, I suspect that there will be members of the Far Right who would be happy to protect them.
The bottom line is that we do have a right to protest and should be allowed to engage in this, but we also have a right to free speech and the right to protest should not infringe the right to free speech.
