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News in Brief

At the end of October, a surprising collection of groups launched ‘Defend Free Speech’, out of concern at government moves to take action against nonviolent ‘extremists’.

The Defend Free Speech coalition includes the Christian Institute and the National Secular Society; ex-chief constable lord Dear and human rights defender Peter Tatchell.

The coalition is particularly concerned about plans for ‘extremism disruption orders’ (EDOs) to restrict the movement and activities of people who haven’t broken any laws, but are engaged in ‘extreme activities’. EDOs may also apply to ‘venues and facilitators’.
www.defendfreespeech.org.uk