Censored by the mob
The directors of a play depicting sexual abuse and murder in a Sikh temple have reluctantly scrapped their production due to fears that violent protests against it would escalate.
The directors said they stood by the play and principles of free speech, but had taken the decision to avoid a repeat of riots outside the theatre on Saturday night.
“Sadly it’s clearly evident that the violent protesters have won,” said Stuart Rogers, executive director of the Birmingham Repertory Theatre.
“We cannot operate this theatre in a state where people are throwing bricks through our windows.”
It’s a bad day for liberty, for freedom of speech and for democracy when a bunch of criminals - and people who threaten violence against those with which they disagree are criminals - can get away with the use of intimidation to achieve their ends.
Tuesday 21 Dec 2004 | Paul | The Pit
