To whom it may concern at Bedford Borough Council,
According to Amnesty International, “Freedom of speech is the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, by any means.
“Freedom of speech and the right to freedom of expression applies to ideas of all kinds including those that may be deeply offensive.”
Read: Katie Hopkins’ Bedford show cancelled by Borough Council
In addition to this Amnesty International state any restrictions must be regulated to prevent unreasonable censorship. Luckily they explain what that is here:
“Any restrictions on freedom of speech and freedom of expression must be set out in laws that must in turn be clear and concise so everyone can understand them.
“People imposing the restrictions (whether they are governments, employers or anyone else) must be able to demonstrate the need for them, and they must be proportionate.
“All of this has to be backed up by safeguards to stop the abuse of these restrictions and incorporate a proper appeals process.
“Restrictions that do not comply with all these conditions violate freedom of expression.”
As such, I’d like to address Bedford Borough Council directly and offer three simple questions:
1. What laws/regulations have the council set out to restrict people’s freedom of speech?
2. When and how was the need for these restrictions demonstrated by the council in general, and specifically with regard to this event?
3. What appeals process for such restrictions does the council have in place?
If the council cannot satisfy all of these conditions, which I believe they can’t, then the council are breaching the freedom of speech and freedom of expression of Katie Hopkins, but more worryingly for the people of Bedford, are acting in an authoritatian manner to oppress Bedfordians rights to challenge views they disagree with in a public forum, based upon nothing more than the views of 50 people and a telephone call from a newspaper.
That must be challenged, not to protect Katie Hopkins, but the rights, freedoms and liberties of the people of Bedford.
Sign my petition to Bring Katie to Bedford here.
I demand on behalf of myself and the petitions’ signatories that Bedford Borough Council either immediately respond to the questions posed or publicly apologise and reinstate Katie Hopkins UK tour at Bedford Corn Exchange.
Yours
Eddie Adams, Bedford
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