Atheist Ireland protect Free Speech in Ireland again.

[nozzferrahhtoo]

In the last 24 hours a pressure campaign against venues planning to host the Exit International (Assisted Suicide) workshops succeeded in having those venues cancel the meetings.

The last of these venues had promised that nothing would cause the cancellation of the meeting, but the sheer pressure of protests changed this and they cited the sheer volume of the anti meeting pressure as their reasons (though the venue before that gave no reasons at all).

Thankfully Atheist Ireland protected free speech and stepped up with an appeal for a venue. The Irish Times reported on This Today and the Press Release below has been released by Exit International.

Regardless of whether you agree with Exit International or not, it is wonderful to see that the pressure of ANY group in their attempts to silence another's right to air their views with a campaign of intimidation has failed utterly. Well done all involved and well done Atheist Ireland who have protected free speech in Ireland a second time this week, after earlier this week causing Dermot Ahern to fold on the Blasphemy law, citing as he did the "incredibly sophisticated campaign [against me], mainly on the internet.”

Dublin Exit Meeting to Go Ahead

After third and then fourth venues - the Macro Building and the Carmichael Centre - buckled under church pressure and cancelled bookings, almost preventing the planned meeting of the Australian, pro-choice voluntary euthanasia group Exit International to go ahead, the organisation's director, Dr Philip Nitschke, announced that the meeting would go ahead at independent Seomra Spraoi.

"In the space of 5 hours today, we had no fewer than 2 venues (4 in total) cancel our bookings which is quite extraordinary. While in other countries we have occasionally had venues withdrawn from us because those leasing the premises disagreed with our ideas, we have never had 4 separate venues refuse to host a meeting" said Dr Nitschke from Dublin tonight.

When we came to Ireland we understood that there may be some opposition, but we did not expect such a well orchestrated campaign of censorship. It is simply unacceptable in a civilised, western country such as Ireland to have one section of the population threaten everyone else in this way."

"Voluntary Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide are important cutting edge social issues. It is only right that they be discussed by the community. Silencing one's right to free speech is the most cowardly way of keeping people in the dark. We are extremely grateful to Seomra Spraoi and Ciaran Mac Aoidh at the Irish Atheists for their support and preparedness to defend free speech on this issue.

"I fully respect the Churchs' right to hold their opinions but I take issue with those who try to ram their opinions down the throats of non-believers and people who elect to reconcile their faith with their right to know about safe suicide."

The Exit International meeting will now be held at 3 - 5.30pm on Friday 19 March. Seomra Spraoí is located at 10 Belvedere Court, Dublin 1.

[Half Nelson]

"Church pressure"? Evidence please.

The pity about free speech is that it often extends to telling porkies.

[Toland]

"Church pressure"? Evidence please.

The pity about free speech is that it often extends to telling porkies.

Yerright, as far as that goes.

It was indeed the same freelance flatliners the church has always relied on to enforce its 'moral' teaching.

[nozzferrahhtoo]

"Church pressure"? Evidence please.

As these are not my words, but me reproducing the press release, I am not about to defend them. I will defend only my own words.

If you wish to have Exit International defend or provide evidence for what THEY have said, then their website is here and the press release included the following information:

nquiries Lindy Boyd - 02071-931-557 Philip Nitschke 07883 509 765

[TradCat]

There is no obligation to host a meeting on your premises if you don't want to. I wouldn't let the 32CSM use my premises.

There is a huge difference between government censoring views and individuals declining to provide a platform. It's not a free speech issue anymore than a newspaper refusing to publish your letter is.

[Toland]

There is no obligation to host a meeting on your premises if you don't want to. I wouldn't let the 32CSM use my premises.

There is a huge difference between government censoring views and individuals declining to provide a platform. It's not a free speech issue anymore than a newspaper refusing to publish your letter is.

By law at least, there is also a very big difference between refusing publishing a letter in a newspaper and refusing a paying guest.

[nozzferrahhtoo]

There is no obligation to host a meeting on your premises if you don't want to. I wouldn't let the 32CSM use my premises.

Oh I heartily agree! Nothing I said should indicate otherwise. There is nothing to say that someone should have to host an event.

However that is not what the OP is about. It is about people who DID want to host the event but due to enormous pressure by anti choice groups on the matter, they were forced to withdraw.

However, heartily agree with what you say. I would be JUST as against someone being forced to host a meeting as I am against people working to silence and prevent a meeting!

[Foghorn]

"Church pressure"? Evidence please.

The pity about free speech is that it often extends to telling porkies.

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing myself. If I rang up and told the venue that I protested against their holding the meeting (as I am entitled to do under Free Speech) would I then be dismissed as "Church pressure"?

So, anyone that is for Assisted Suicide is a knight of Free Speech. Anyone protesting against it is "Church pressure"?

I'm all for Free Speech. The venues didn't have to listen. That was their choice and the consequence of Free Speech.

[Half Nelson]

Yerright, as far as that goes.

It was indeed the same freelance flatliners the church has always relied on to enforce its 'moral' teaching.

Of course we know that only members of 'the church' are likely to object to such a thing.
For most venues, about half a dozen phonecalls would do the trick. People are entitled to voice their objections or threaten to withdraw their business.
It's called 'free speech'.

The blubbering press release is fairly pathetic. Nitschke obviously has a substantial chip on his shoulder regarding 'the Church'.

[TradCat]

By law at least, there is also a very big difference between refusing publishing a letter in a newspaper and refusing a paying guest.

If the venue's acted illegally then it's open to the offended party to take action. Having taken the booking in the first place I would agree that there is an obligation to proceed as agreed unless they were misled in some way.

But in my view the right to decline to do business with somebody is as much a part of freedom as free speech.