Free speech is under attack all across the world. High-profile conservatives are being dragged into situations where governments want to jail them for exercising their God-given rights.
Scotland, once a bastion of independence, free thinking, and defiance of government oppression, has devolved into a ruling class of elitists. They believe their woke ideology should be forced on anyone who dares to disagree with them.
One of the most successful authors in history, J.K. Rowling, was targeted under Scotland’s new Hate Crime and Public Order Act that was activated on April 1. The law is anything but foolish as Rowling, author of the “Harry Potter” book series, dared authorities to arrest her for free speech.
From Fox News:
After slamming Scotland’s new hate speech bill directly, Rowling declared, “if what I’ve written here qualifies as an offense under the terms of the new act, I look forward to being arrested when I return to the birthplace of the Scottish Enlightenment.”The BBC reported on Tuesday afternoon that “Social media comments made by JK Rowling challenging Scotland’s new hate crime law are not being treated as criminal, Police Scotland has said.”
Rowling taunted authorities with an April Fool’s Day social media thread that listed multiple biologically male criminals who claimed to be transgender just prior to being sentenced for various horrific crimes. She then expressed mock relief that their avowed gender identities were being respected.
Her rhetoric quickly pivoted as she declared, “Only kidding. Obviously, the people mentioned in the above tweets aren’t women at all, but men, every last one of them.”
Rowling’s direct defiance of the new law could have landed her up to a seven-year jail sentence. The law was introduced years before going into effect April 1. The anti-free speech initiative targets acts that “stir up hatred against a group of persons” of certain protected characteristics, including age, disability, religion or, in the case of a social or cultural group, perceived religious affiliation, sexual orientation, transgender identity, and variations in sex characteristics.
Basically, serious criticism of anyone could get someone sent to jail. Like the English kings who persecuted Scotsmen under the feudal system ages ago, modern Scottish leaders have introduced a law to oppress their own people.
Rowling lives in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and has been a publicly vocal critic of hate speech laws and woke ideology. She pushed back against anyone who says she is getting special treatment because of her wealth and celebrity status.
“If they go after any woman for simply calling a man a man, I’ll repeat that woman’s words and they can charge us both at once,” Rowling vowed.
She hailed the decision by police not to pursue charges against someone exercising their right to free speech.
“I hope every woman in Scotland who wishes to speak up for the reality and importance of biological sex will be reassured by this announcement, and I trust that all women – irrespective of profile or financial means – will be treated equally under the law,” Rowling said.
Rowling’s stance has gained support within Scotland and in Europe. At least some politicians across the pond are joining in her stance against censorship and persecution over opinions.
News reports showed that former deputy leader of the Scottish National Party, Jim Sillars, launched a campaign to “resist the Hate Crime Act and campaign for its repeal.” The law “inflicts a deep wound on the face of Scottish society.”
That sentiment was echoed by Rishi Sunak, the prime minister of the UK. He openly supported Rowling’s challenge to the Scottish Police.
“We should not be criminalizing people saying common sense things about biological sex, clearly that isn’t right,” Sunak said. “We have a proud tradition of free speech.”
Key Takeaways:
- K. Rowling defies Scotland’s hate speech law and police back down.
- Her public “joke” turned into a free speech skirmish with authorities.
- European political leaders supported her effort to give women a voice.
Source: Fox News
