It has been a tremendous week for FSI. Our latest newsletter, recapping all these developments, has been published.

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Sarah O’Reilly of Free Speech Ireland warned that “social media users are likely to be among the first people prosecuted” if the bill is passed.

“The bill doesn’t define hatred, despite it being in the name of the bill,” says Ms O’Reilly. “Hate is a highly subjective term, and leaving such a broad concept undefined is irresponsible law-making.

“Laws that result in criminal sentences need to be understood simply by the public — but this bill is anything but clear.”

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/hate-speech-bill-is-restrictive-and-undemocratic-warns-barrister-as-7000-people-sign-petition/a1608824054.html

The #BinTheBill 2024 Petition has reached our goal of 10,000 faster than expected!

We want as many people as possible to hear about our petition before we hand it in to government. So we'll be holding gatherings around the country in the coming weeks to tap into the widespread opposition to Helen McEntee's Hate Speech Bill. Stay tuned for more details.

Thank you to everyone who has signed so far - if you haven't already, you can still:
https://FreeSpeechIreland.ie/Petition/

In an interview with Gript, Elon Musk warned that Ireland's hate speech proposals would put people at "the mercy" of those who would define speech they don't like as 'hate speech' - and pledged to fund Irish legal challenges to the legislation.

https://gript.ie/elon-musk-will-fund-legal-challenges-to-irish-hate-speech-legislation/

“We are living in a time when large stakeholders, whether it be the political class or mega companies, simply do not believe people should have the right to say what they think”.

Great summary of our "Speech Regulations in 2024" event.

Speakers at a Free Speech Ireland event heard claims that Helen McEntee’s ‘hate speech’ bill will be used as a means of silencing political opposition, controlling narratives, censoring dissenting journalists, and has the potential to enable state mandated versions of historical events.

#gript

https://gript.ie/restrictions-on-freedom-of-expression-will-kill-democracy-say-free-speech-campaigners/

“If I cannot communicate ideas freely due to others asserting a silencing power over me, then there cannot be a free participative democracy”.

“Weimar Germany had laws banning hateful speech”.

Speaking at our Speech Restrictions in 2024 event, Tim Crowley discussed the 'Weimar fallacy' and the Hate Speech Bill's section on genocide.

🚧 FREE SPEECH PROTEST 🚧

Tánaiste Micheál Martin has been championing the anti-democratic Hate Speech Bill. Join us next Saturday to show him that Cork values civil rights.

Bring friends & family. Placards will be provided.

Let's #BinTheBill.

We're all set for Saturday.

We'll be handing out leaflets as we congregate before marching to Micheál Martin's office to say a few words.

#BinTheBill