July 25, 2018
Free speech challenge out of puff
Auckland Mayor Goff has welcomed the back down by promoters of Canadian right wing provocateurs Stefan Molyneux and Lauren Southern.
Axiomatic Media has withdrawn its urgent court action against Auckland Council’s decision to refuse to book the pair into a council-operated venue.
The action was supported by the Free Speech Coalition, a group formed by Hobson's Pledge founder Don Brash and a number of media commentators around the controversy.
Mr Goff says the case was always weak and ill conceived.
He says he is a strong advocate of free speech but not of hate speech, where people set out to be abusive and insulting of others based on their skin colour or faith.
The right to free speech does not mean the right to be provided with an Auckland Council platform for that speech, particularly if doing so would put the public’s security and safety at risk.
Auckland is one of the most diverse cities in the world and home to people of many different faiths, religions and cultures.
Mr Goff says it is important it is an inclusive city where everyone, regardless of race, the colour of their skin or their faith are treated equally and with respect.
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