Dane Giraud
Spokesperson
Free Speech Coalition
Last week we had a refreshing turn of events; a modest free speech victory to celebrate.
Late Tuesday night, MPs voted on a Supplementary Order Paper to the Abortion Reform Bill. The crucial issue being voted on was David Seymour’s SOP which would have removed the sections in the Bill establishing “safe zones” around abortion clinics. These would have created bans on the right to protest in defined areas.
In the initial vote on the definitions of “safe zones” the SOP was defeated, but in an unexpected own-goal for the proponents of the “safe zones”, a second vote on the operative clause of “safe zones” was called. While it was ultimately unintentional, this vote passed, and the result was a free speech victory.
With a topic as emotionally charged as abortion, arguments to limit free speech become more seductive. This is why we extend our gratitude to the MPs who did not cave to the pressure and made a principled stand for free speech. You can read our media release praising the MPs who voted to defend the right to protest (on purpose) here.
“Safe zones” and other restrictions on free speech are not unique to New Zealand. In this week’s episode of the Free Speech Coalition podcast Patrick interviews seasoned protest organiser Georgina Blackmore about the international instances of “safe zones”, along with providing insights into the state of protest culture in New Zealand.
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