The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #76702   Message #1364395
Posted By: Peter K (Fionn)
23-Dec-04 - 04:18 PM
Thread Name: Birmingham play closed by mob
Subject: RE: Birmingham play closed by mob
As I pretty clearly said, I wholly disagree with rioting against the play, or disruption of performances or threats to the people involved. That would be clear enough if it wasn't swamped in a miasma of thoughts attempting to say all things to all people. For instance you imply that in this case there was an onus on the playwright to head off the mob violence. This is exactly like saying a victim of rape brought it on herself by dressing provocatively.

But a belief in free speech includes a right to peaceful protest by people who felt it [the play] insulted them, for example leafletting playgoers. Who's said otherwise? Not me. Not anyone in this thread. Not the theatre management. Not the protesters. (They did protest peacefully and they did leaflet the audiences. It just wasn't enough for them.)