According to Snopes, police "charged Richelieu-Booth with displaying writing with intent to cause harm and distress"
https://www.snopes.com/news/2025/12/01/uk-police-arrest-gun-photo/
What in the actual F??
"displaying writing with intent to cause harm and distress" is a CRIME in the UK?
Have they just totally abandoned any pretense of caring about freedom of speech?
@Cliff-Mashburn saidJust plain insane.
Yes.
31 months in prison for a Tweet she took down almost immediately
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jr8-SSR9yec
She should never have had to even take it down.
From what I gathered, the tweet was something like "burn down all the migrant hotels, for all I care"
Sure, that's a bit insensitive and not nice, but to be thrown in in prison for that? For 31 months!!??
Thankfully, we still have at least some level of freedom of speech in the US, though that this could happen in the UK shows how vigilant we have to be.
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@sh76 saidI believe she took it down after 20 minutes or so, but an offended immigrant took a snapshot and reported her to the Thought Police.
Just plain insane.
She should never have had to even take it down.
From what I gathered, the tweet was something like "burn down all the migrant hotels, for all I care"
Sure, that's a bit insensitive and not nice, but to be thrown in in prison for that? For 31 months!!??
Thankfully, we still have at least some level of freedom of speech in the US, though that this could happen in the UK shows how vigilant we have to be.
- Joined
- 09 Jan 22
- Moves
- 1139
@sh76 saidI'm sure almost all of The Usual Suspects here will defend it.
Just out of curiosity, does anyone here want to defend the concept of sending someone to prison for a mean tweet?
I don't mean a Tu quoque defense like "well you also do bad stuff" I mean a real defense.
I would be curious to hear it.
@sh76 said'Some level of freedom of speech...'
Just plain insane.
She should never have had to even take it down.
From what I gathered, the tweet was something like "burn down all the migrant hotels, for all I care"
Sure, that's a bit insensitive and not nice, but to be thrown in in prison for that? For 31 months!!??
Thankfully, we still have at least some level of freedom of speech in the US, though that this could happen in the UK shows how vigilant we have to be.
lol At least you recognise the American dream is dwindling.
@Ghost-of-a-Duke saidAnd you are confessing that yours is dead.
'Some level of freedom of speech...'
lol At least you recognise the American dream is dwindling.
Worse than that is the British have surrended to Islam.
@sh76 saidIt depends what that mere Tweet led to.
Just out of curiosity, does anyone here want to defend the concept of sending someone to prison for a mean tweet?
I don't mean a Tu quoque defense like "well you also do bad stuff" I mean a real defense.
I would be curious to hear it.
If, for example, Mr X posted a tweet spreading fake news (inciting anger/violence) and called on people to attack an individual, and then that individual was indeed attacked, then yes, Mr X should answer for his actions in court.
Cherry picking examples though (as Cliff is infamous for) misrepresents the reality in the UK. - I feel at complete liberty to express my views on the internet. Freedom of speech is very much alive and well here, although If i went online and incited people to violence then a knock on the door by the police would be justified.
@Ghost-of-a-Duke saidHow do you define "inciting anger/violence"?
It depends what that mere Tweet led to.
If, for example, Mr X posted a tweet spreading fake news (inciting anger/violence) and called on people to attack an individual, and then that individual was indeed attacked, then yes, Mr X should answer for his actions in court.
Cherry picking examples though (as Cliff is infamous for) misrepresents the reality in the UK. ...[text shortened]... ent online and incited people to violence then a knock on the door by the police would be justified.
1 edit
@sh76 saidMr X doesn't like leprechauns. An incident happens and Mr X immediately blames leprechauns and whips up online hatred for leprechauns with fake, unsubstantiated claims. He then tells his followers they should descend on a hotel where leprechauns are living and burn it down. - True enough, the hotel is then attacked and burned to the ground.
How do you define "inciting anger/violence"?
Questions for you. - Did Mr X incite anger/violence? Should there be legal consequences for him having done so, or is it just a case of him exercising his freedom of speech?
Edit: Good luck
@Cliff-Mashburn saidSome of the British are silenced by threats for posting on social media. You tend to find them more in the General Forum.
I'm sure almost all of The Usual Suspects here will defend it.