The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #121472   Message #2675192
Posted By: Emma B
08-Jul-09 - 06:29 PM
Thread Name: Folk Against Fascism
Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
In the United Kingdom, the Public Order Act 1986 prohibits, by its Part 3, expressions of racial hatred.
"Racial hatred" is defined as hatred against a group of persons by reason of the group's colour, race, nationality (including citizenship) or ethnic or national origins. Section 18 of the Act says:

A person who uses threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or displays any written material which is threatening, abusive or insulting, is guilty of an offence if—
(a) he intends thereby to stir up racial hatred, or
(b) having regard to all the circumstances racial hatred is likely to be stirred up thereby.
Offences under Part 3 carry a maximum sentence of seven years imprisonment or a fine or both.


The United States federal government and state governments are broadly forbidden by the First Amendment of the Constitution from restricting speech

Even in cases where speech encourages illegal violence, instances of incitement qualify as criminal only if the threat of violence is imminent.
This strict standard prevents prosecution of many cases of incitement, including prosecution of those advocating violent opposition to the government, and those exhorting violence against racial, ethnic, or gender minorities.

Not many times I can honestly say I'm so glad to be British!