Quote:
A British National Party (BNP) member was attacked with a hammer when protesters arrived at a campaign event in Greater Manchester.
Violence broke out as 30 people surrounded a BNP vehicle outside the Ellesmere Pub in St Helens Road in Leigh on Friday evening
Violence broke out as 30 people surrounded a BNP vehicle outside the Ellesmere Pub in St Helens Road in Leigh on Friday evening
I'll state this upfront, the BNP is an organisation I have no time for (Neo-**** and Xenophobic). I do beleive they have the right to free speech and should be allowed to campaign. Why you ask? Because we need such people to remind us of where we DO NOT wish to go ...
What has worried me here is that 30 people attacked a van just because of someones political beliefs (no matter how repugnant they may be). In doing so they have threatened free speech in my country. For as horrific as the BNPs political aims might be (and I pray they never gain any power in this country) they still have the right to express their aims and goals.
Now many people will be thinking "So? The BNP deserve it?" but if this is allowed, it could happen to any political party out campaigning and the end of free expression (if it is not already dead).
So I guess my point is. I do not understand people who would attack someone for expressing themselves, no matter how unpleasant the message.
Thoughts?