Why free speech shouldn’t need a Plan B

Yep, you guessed it. We’ve had another venue cancel on us last minute. 

Once again ‘inclusivity’ is bizarrely used as a reason to cancel others. 🤦‍♂️

But the would-be-censors aren’t going to stop us that easily.  

Dr James Lindsay begins his FSU tour in New Zealand today. There’s a jam-packed schedule of media interviews, public events, and meetings with donors, politicians, and even opponents (watch this space!) taking place over the next seven days. 

We’ve booked, paid for, and publicised venues across the country. Now we have to shift venues all because a would-be-censor has put a bit of pressure on the businesses.  

Thankfully we have our legendary Events Manager, Nathan Seiuli on the case. 💪 The tour will go on! Starting with Auckland today!

Tonight’s event was supposed to be held at B:Hive on Auckland’s North Shore – a venue which has actually hosted us before (in fact, our most recent guest speaker Dr Peter Boghossian, who frequently collaborates with Dr Lindsay, spoke there last December). 

But, apparently, for the venue to be ‘inclusive’ a free speech champion must be excluded!

Make it make sense! 🤷‍♂️ We’ve notified B:Hive management that they’re in breach of contract. If they didn’t want us, they had the right to say ‘no’ ages ago when we first tried booking (they have the right as a private venue to refuse our request – though of course, we would have disagreed with the choice. This is no way to foster open dialogue.). 

However, when you’re only two working days out from the event, money has been paid, and there are hundreds of attendees to communicate with, you don’t have the right to pull the rug out from under our feet. That's why we're taking them to the District Court, suing them for breach of contract. 

This is more money and work for our team, but we have to stand up and be counted. Chip into these legal costs here.

An activist bullied and pressured B:Hive to cancel our event. 

We think giving in is not only unprincipled and a breach of contract – it’s also financially idiotic given the struggling economy.

The Auckland event will now be taking place at Waipuna Conference Centre in Mt Wellington. If you haven’t reserved a seat, do so now!

We’re facing a similar situation in Wellington! 

Our first venue Whiskey and Wood began threatening cancellation for the same reasons as the Auckland venue, so we secured a booking at the Legislative Council Chamber at Parliament! Wellington, see you there! 

And as you likely heard, Papa Hou in Christchurch, an events venue we’ve held multiple events with, cancelled us too. We’re now meeting at the Christchurch Town Hall.  

Apparently cancelling a booking with us fits their organisation's values of working together for “justice, freedom and peace” more than hosting us does...?!  

Thankfully there’s nothing to report in Tauranga – shout out to The Historic Village for hosting us! 

Fighting censorship isn’t cheap. 

Every last-minute venue change costs time, money, and resources, all because an activist or two wants to shut down open debate, and spineless venues cave over a bit of controversy. Well, we refuse to let them win. 

Part of Dr. James Lindsay’s message is to warn against ideological extremism, no matter the side it’s coming from. If we let the bullies win, who will they silence next? 

Free speech isn’t just for the ideas we like. It’s for everyone. And as the biggest civil liberties organisation in New Zealand, it’s our role to collectively keep the censors at bay.

How can the best ideas win when we have to book multiple venues in case one cancels on us last minute?

We're leading the fight, but cancellations cost money. Would you chip in to fund the cost of of dealing with the would-be-censors?

Your support makes it possible for us to stand up to the bullies and ensure all voices are free. 

Jonathan Ayling | Chief Executive 

PS. Are you coming to an event this week in Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, or Christchurch? We’d love to see you there!