Speakers' corner planned for Bradford (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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Speakers' corner planned for Bradford
11:00am Friday 5th October 2012 in News
Peter Bentley, of the Speakers’ Corner Trust
A move to establish a permanent “speakers’ corner” in Bradford is under way, with the first events set to take place during Local Democracy Week later this month.
The idea is to ape the 150-year-old Speakers’ Corner in London’s Hyde Park to give Bradfordians a platform to spout off on whatever takes their fancy, from politics to the weather.
A steering group made up of people from organisations including Bradford University, Bradford Council, the Council for Mosques, the Trades Council and the Workers Educational Association has been meeting with Peter Bradley, of the Speakers’ Corner Trust, which is hoping to establish the facility.
The idea is to have a dedicated place where organised events can take place, with people speaking for up to 60 seconds on their particular bugbear or hobbyhorse, and also to host impromptu debates and speeches.
Mr Bradley said: “The original Speakers’ Corner remains a powerful symbol of the rights to free expression and public assembly which lie at the heart of all our rights as citizens and an inspiration to millions all over the world who are still struggling for theirs.”
Discussions with Bradford Council are continuing over where a speakers’ corner could be sited in the city centre.
Mr Bradley said: “Over the course of the next year we hope it will be possible to create a Speakers’ Corner in the heart of the city centre as a symbol of citizens’ rights and a platform for expression and engagement.
“That new space will also be the focus for programmes of events designed to give everyone the opportunity to get involved in discussion and debate about the things that matter to them.”
To showcase the idea, a number of “taster” events will be held during Local Democracy Week, from October 15 to 21.
Mr Bradley said: “These will include an opportunity for as many local people as possible to speak for 60 seconds on a subject of their choice at a temporary Speakers’ Corner in the city centre, a meeting to discuss whether the legal system meets the needs of ordinary people, one examining the state of democracy in the UK, several for schools and one to discuss the impact of cuts in public funding on local services and communities.”
Comments(24)
webess
says...
11:52am Fri 5 Oct 12
webess
says...
11:52am Fri 5 Oct 12
ANY WHERE BUT HERE
says...
12:16pm Fri 5 Oct 12
The Hoffster
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12:18pm Fri 5 Oct 12
ANY WHERE BUT HERE wrote:And another Islamophobe spews out his hatred...
What would happen if someone was to speak'up about homegrown terrorist's they would be told its inciting racial hatred. There is many things that can't be talked about in Bradford even if it means preserving your right to life. (SADLY)
A Casual Observer
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12:29pm Fri 5 Oct 12
ANY WHERE BUT HERE wrote:Or if someone vehemently criticized the Government, and all previous governments, exposing the fact that Democracy is a sham and we are all the subject of mass social engineering on a vast scale? They might be locked up for inciting a riot or plotting to overthrow parliamentary democracy, even if it means preserving your right to life. (SADLY)
What would happen if someone was to speak'up about homegrown terrorist's they would be told its inciting racial hatred. There is many things that can't be talked about in Bradford even if it means preserving your right to life. (SADLY)
Period Drama
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12:49pm Fri 5 Oct 12
Drop the idea now before it causes trouble.
Farsley Bantam
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1:04pm Fri 5 Oct 12
The Hoffster wrote:What in that statement is Islamaphobic? Do you deny homegrown terrorists exist?
ANY WHERE BUT HERE wrote: What would happen if someone was to speak'up about homegrown terrorist's they would be told its inciting racial hatred. There is many things that can't be talked about in Bradford even if it means preserving your right to life. (SADLY)And another Islamophobe spews out his hatred...
BD16
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1:51pm Fri 5 Oct 12
Farsley Bantam wrote:We might get some nutter like Hamza as well. Whats the name for somebody who hates everything non Islamic?
The Hoffster wrote:What in that statement is Islamaphobic? Do you deny homegrown terrorists exist?ANY WHERE BUT HERE wrote: What would happen if someone was to speak'up about homegrown terrorist's they would be told its inciting racial hatred. There is many things that can't be talked about in Bradford even if it means preserving your right to life. (SADLY)And another Islamophobe spews out his hatred...
BD16
says...
1:52pm Fri 5 Oct 12
A Casual Observer wrote:More likely locked up on mental health grounds.....
ANY WHERE BUT HERE wrote: What would happen if someone was to speak'up about homegrown terrorist's they would be told its inciting racial hatred. There is many things that can't be talked about in Bradford even if it means preserving your right to life. (SADLY)Or if someone vehemently criticized the Government, and all previous governments, exposing the fact that Democracy is a sham and we are all the subject of mass social engineering on a vast scale? They might be locked up for inciting a riot or plotting to overthrow parliamentary democracy, even if it means preserving your right to life. (SADLY)
markjoe
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1:53pm Fri 5 Oct 12
markjoe
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1:55pm Fri 5 Oct 12
markjoe wrote:Sorry their not there.
If the Council for Mosques has been include in the debate why hasn't any other religious hierarchy been included in the steering group. I can only for see trouble from this idea all that it will take would be an Abu Hamza or a Nick Griffin spouting off there hate speech for it all to kick off.
markjoe
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1:56pm Fri 5 Oct 12
Farsley Bantam wrote:I agree where does it mention anything about Islam in the post.
The Hoffster wrote:What in that statement is Islamaphobic? Do you deny homegrown terrorists exist?
ANY WHERE BUT HERE wrote: What would happen if someone was to speak'up about homegrown terrorist's they would be told its inciting racial hatred. There is many things that can't be talked about in Bradford even if it means preserving your right to life. (SADLY)And another Islamophobe spews out his hatred...
webess
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2:13pm Fri 5 Oct 12
markjoe wrote:Don't worry - Some on here are obsessed about Islam...
Farsley Bantam wrote:I agree where does it mention anything about Islam in the post.
The Hoffster wrote:What in that statement is Islamaphobic? Do you deny homegrown terrorists exist?
ANY WHERE BUT HERE wrote: What would happen if someone was to speak'up about homegrown terrorist's they would be told its inciting racial hatred. There is many things that can't be talked about in Bradford even if it means preserving your right to life. (SADLY)And another Islamophobe spews out his hatred...
Marty12
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4:20pm Fri 5 Oct 12
webess wrote:These postings illustrate the opposing extreme views (ie, Islam can't do any wrong v. Islam is responsible for all wrong) but it can't be denied that an attempt at genuine free speech in a public space in Bradford could end up very messy indeed, can it?
markjoe wrote:Don't worry - Some on here are obsessed about Islam...Farsley Bantam wrote:I agree where does it mention anything about Islam in the post.The Hoffster wrote:What in that statement is Islamaphobic? Do you deny homegrown terrorists exist?ANY WHERE BUT HERE wrote: What would happen if someone was to speak'up about homegrown terrorist's they would be told its inciting racial hatred. There is many things that can't be talked about in Bradford even if it means preserving your right to life. (SADLY)And another Islamophobe spews out his hatred...
Yorkshire Lass
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4:34pm Fri 5 Oct 12
The Hoffster wrote:A valid point I think. On the other hand
ANY WHERE BUT HERE wrote:And another Islamophobe spews out his hatred...
What would happen if someone was to speak'up about homegrown terrorist's they would be told its inciting racial hatred. There is many things that can't be talked about in Bradford even if it means preserving your right to life. (SADLY)
it could be extremists spouting their points of view.
Marty12
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5:36pm Fri 5 Oct 12
The Hoffster wrote:Just a point of clarification: would someone who opposed Hitler in the 1930's have been called a Hitlerophobe? Would someone who objects to paedophiles be called a paedophilophobe? Are all ***ophobes bad people?
ANY WHERE BUT HERE wrote: What would happen if someone was to speak'up about homegrown terrorist's they would be told its inciting racial hatred. There is many things that can't be talked about in Bradford even if it means preserving your right to life. (SADLY)And another Islamophobe spews out his hatred...
Albion.
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6:00pm Fri 5 Oct 12
Marty12 wrote:If you are a disease, those who take precautions not to catch it or warn others of the dangers, are certainly bad people......to you anyway.
The Hoffster wrote:Just a point of clarification: would someone who opposed Hitler in the 1930's have been called a Hitlerophobe? Would someone who objects to paedophiles be called a paedophilophobe? Are all ***ophobes bad people?
ANY WHERE BUT HERE wrote: What would happen if someone was to speak'up about homegrown terrorist's they would be told its inciting racial hatred. There is many things that can't be talked about in Bradford even if it means preserving your right to life. (SADLY)And another Islamophobe spews out his hatred...
dontbedaft
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8:25pm Fri 5 Oct 12
ANY WHERE BUT HERE
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9:17pm Fri 5 Oct 12
Here in Bradford we have the nices't terrorists.
Not sadly (WORRINGLY)
Farsley Bantam
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10:59pm Fri 5 Oct 12
ANY WHERE BUT HERE
says...
12:24am Sat 6 Oct 12
The Hoffster
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11:46am Sat 6 Oct 12
Farsley Bantam wrote:Don't be so stupid. Everyone in the UK has a right to a peaceful protest. And this is exactly what it was.
What is worrying is that the biggest event to be held in city park so far (certainly in terms of numbers) was the protest a couple of weeks ago by Muslims against an anti-Islamic film produced in America. It's worrying that despite all of Bradfords problems, of which there are many, the one that has inspired more people to take to the streets than any other is a film that has deliberately tried to cause racial tensions. Muslims have stupidly taken the bait and in the process made all Muslims look like extremists.
.
If you don't like it, you can always go to China or Iran.
Albion.
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12:06pm Sat 6 Oct 12
The Hoffster wrote:Yes it was, because anyone who might have different views either stayed away or behaved in an orderly way. How come that doesn't happen when other groups assemble and their opponents don't stay away or behave in an orderly way?
Farsley Bantam wrote:Don't be so stupid. Everyone in the UK has a right to a peaceful protest. And this is exactly what it was.
What is worrying is that the biggest event to be held in city park so far (certainly in terms of numbers) was the protest a couple of weeks ago by Muslims against an anti-Islamic film produced in America. It's worrying that despite all of Bradfords problems, of which there are many, the one that has inspired more people to take to the streets than any other is a film that has deliberately tried to cause racial tensions. Muslims have stupidly taken the bait and in the process made all Muslims look like extremists.
.
If you don't like it, you can always go to China or Iran.
Albion. says...
11:12am Fri 5 Oct 12
Years ago, Bob Cryer MP would often stand up in a public place on a Saturday afternoon and voice his opinions, I thought he was very good at it, even if it didn't persuade me to support his party.