I’ll always champion peaceful protest. But the Unite the Kingdom march organisers are peddling hatred and division. We’ve already blocked visas for far-right agitators who want to come here to spew their extremist views. They don't speak for the decent, fair, respectful Britain I know.

Cruel, devastating, and unjust. The National Security Law in Hong Kong has been used to punish peaceful protest and expression. Following the sentencing of Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong on baseless national security charges, HRW's @PearsonElaine speaks with Al Jazeera ⤵️

🇫🇷 | HAPPENING NOW: Tear gas, baton charges and mass arrests in Marseille as police crack down on a peaceful protest. Hundreds of thousands march across France, with over 135 arrested today alone.

The scene outside Delaney Hall detention center turned chaotic again Friday night with more clashes between anti-ICE protesters and agents – despite New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s attempt to establish a “peaceful” protest zone.

🚨🚨 FREE SPEECH UNION AND BIG BROTHER WATCH VICTORY! The FSU has joined forces with @BigBrotherWatch (BBW) to back two people arrested for holding signs that read “f*** Islam” at the Unite the Kingdom march in May. The pair were being investigated for potential breaches of the Public Order Act, with possible religious aggravation. We received news today that the case against one of the individuals has been dropped following representations made by the FSU and BBW. In a joint legal letter to the Crown Prosecution Service and the Metropolitan Police, we urged them to drop the case — pointing out that Britain does not have blasphemy laws and that it is not an offence to express hostility towards any religion. We also cited the case of Hamit Coskun, who was accused of threatening public order after he burnt a copy of the Quran outside the Turkish consulate in London in peaceful protest against what he called the Islamification of his home country, Turkey. The judgment made it very clear that the law distinguishes between the right to express hostility towards a religion and hatred towards people because of their religion. As Mr Justice Bennathan said: “The right to freedom of expression, if it is a right worth having, must include the right to express views that offend, shock or disturb.” The UK is in the midst of a free speech crisis. We cannot allow the Government and the police to revive our censorious blasphemy laws — for Islam alone. The misuse of public order legislation must stop. It is having a chilling effect on our right to free speech, our right to protest and our right to criticise ANY religion.

Pro-life demonstrators were ARRESTED at the Alamo for standing outside a “free speech zone.” This is nuts - even to us. A group of abortion abolitionists holding signs and preaching near the historic site were ordered by Texas DPS officers to move into a small designated area or face arrest. When they refused, officers took several into custody on criminal trespass charges. Booking records confirm at least two men were processed and later released on bond. The Alamo’s official policy recognizes First Amendment rights but confines public-policy advocacy and political activity to a marked free speech zone near H&M and Rivercenter Mall. The rest of the complex is treated as a nonpublic forum. Demonstrators argued they were simply exercising free speech on PUBLIC LAND at a site that stands as a symbol of Texas liberty. A place built on the blood of men who fought for freedom now tells citizens where they are allowed to speak? That contradiction deserves scrutiny. Free speech zones at a public historic landmark raise serious questions about how far authorities can go in restricting peaceful protest. Now in fairness, here's some important context. The Texas General Land Office (GLO) has jurisdiction over the Alamo Complex under state law. The GLO is responsible for its preservation, maintenance, and historical integrity. Day-to-day operations are managed by Alamo Trust, Inc., a nonprofit that operates the site under agreement with the state. Portions of the surrounding plaza (including Plaza de Valero) involve a long-term lease with the City of San Antonio, but the core Alamo property itself is state-owned public land. This is why the site’s rules about free speech zones and nonpublic forum designations are set by the managing entities on behalf of the state, and why criminal trespass charges can be enforced when people refuse to comply with those rules after clear notice. What a mess. We thought Texas would protect free speech. Pretty sure given their recent track record that if these were Muslim protestors, they would have been just fine. #Alamo# #FreeSpeech#