4 Arrested in UK Over Alleged Support of NZ Shooting

And so it starts......
Arrests Made in UK
Manchester Police Arrest 2

A 24yr old man was earlier arrested in Oldham for showing support of the NZ shooter online. Now obviously I can't condone what that person posted and in the current climate he should know its quite dangerous to post anything that could hurt people or their feelings and I suppose it was quite tactless, but if he wasn't calling for death or violence and simply posting his own opinion however delusional, then there is no crime. If the couple arguing with the taxi driver were unpleasant and insulting then there is NO CRIME except the crime of the taxi driver perhaps being upset, which I'm sorry but that's life and probably that taxi driver gets insulted and upset every Saturday night with the drunks but its still NOT A CRIME.

Whatever my personal horror at the shooting and whatever my disgust at those that support the killer, its merely words, a crime is only committed if a law is broken such as incitement to violence etc. You CANNOT have a crime of hurt feelings! But it seems indeed you can

Greater Manchester Police Constable stated

The events which happened two days ago in New Zealand continue to cause huge upset with people of all faiths from across Greater Manchester. “It is absolutely clear that compassion and support is how the overwhelming majority of people feel and, as always, Greater Manchester stands together. “Over the weekend we have had, however, a small number of incidents where people have either posted or made remarks referencing the horrible events in New Zealand, particularly online where people often think it is acceptable to abuse others. “Some of these comments are frankly disgusting. I am amazed how some people think it is acceptable to make such careless and disrespectful remarks. “People are entitled to free speech and this is always respected, however, where this crosses the boundary into criminal offences, let me be really clear, we will make arrests and if the evidence is there we will seek the prosecution of those involved.” – ASSISTANT CHIEF CONSTABLE RUSS JACKSON, GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE

I'm interested to know just what the actual criminal offence is here....besides holding an unpopular opinion. Clearly the statement of the Ass Chief Constable regarding free speech is hogwash.

Youtube & Spotify have even gone so far as to remove the music the shooter was listening to for crying out loud! Censorship is now the norm...conform or see jail time.

Whatever you may post online someone somewhere can be offended if they so choose. Now in the UK if you hurt someone's feelings and they feel offended regardless of whether you meant any offence or not you can be arrested. Whatever you say in an argument or the heat of the moment can be used against you...watch your speech watch your opinions watch your tone of voice be careful who you speak to...you could be misinterpreted and end up in Court.

This is just the beginning....newspeak thoughtcrime and hold no opinions but official ones is now a reality

a reply to: PhyllidaDavenport

Just adds more fuel to it possibly being a false flag. Their immediate response to ban firearms, and now to bash conspiracy forums, fits perfectly in their agenda.

We can expect more of these events where the "shooter" is a member of online forums, hence, there can't be online forums because it is a danger to our democracy.

Remember you heard it here first.

a reply to: PhyllidaDavenport

There are 7.5 billion people in the World. There is an ultra small percentage of crazy extremists who act on their craziness.

I think what is important is not to form a broad stroke generalizations based on math illiterate observations.

Arrested for offensive speech - that's Britain now.

They want more censorship and control over the internet and more particularly its clear they want the Chans gone. Personally, I think these channels serve a purpose in letting people rant and rave without actually leaving their mum's basement, and that's probably a good thing. The types that frequent the chans appear to be young lonely cowardly pond life who are all talk and want to feel big, these forums serve that purpose.

But when we are diving into the murky waters of criminalising speech and thought and opinions.....is that not communism?

If a Muslim shoots up a gay nightclub in Florida and kills 49 people, that's just one crazed loner and no broader lessons can be discerned from his act. If a ethno-nationalist shoots up two mosques and kills 50 people in Christchurch, western civilization is at fault, and we need to impose worldwide restraints on free speech to make sure it doesn't happen again.

originally posted by: dfnj2015
a reply to: PhyllidaDavenport

There are 7.5 billion people in the World. There is an ultra small percentage of crazy extremists who act on their craziness.

I think what is important is not to form a broad stroke generalizations based on math illiterate observations.

But the logic to take guns requires the same illiteracy?
Does it not?

a reply to: PhyllidaDavenport

This makes it pretty apparet that the UK is a PC police state.

I wouldn't consider visiting anymore. Never know when some a-hole will take offence to something that one mutters under ones breath.

originally posted by: UKTruth
Arrested for offensive speech - that's Britain now.

Sadly it seems so.
Who gets to decide what is offensive in the UK?
The EU?

originally posted by: PhyllidaDavenport
They want more censorship and control over the internet and more particularly its clear they want the Chans gone. Personally, I think these channels serve a purpose in letting people rant and rave without actually leaving their mum's basement, and that's probably a good thing. The types that frequent the chans appear to be young lonely cowardly pond life who are all talk and want to feel big, these forums serve that purpose.

But when we are diving into the murky waters of criminalising speech and thought and opinions.....is that not communism?

I would argue censorship, not rhetoric, promulgated this man's beliefs. Him and others like him are forced into the darkness where they get together and let their ideas fester without challenge.

a reply to: shooterbrody

Again its a murky one. I've tried numerous times to get a clear and concise explanation of this "crime of offence" but certainly not even my local police are really sure. It all seems to boil down to who reports the "crime" and how offended they are as to whether its deemed a crime. Its a mess!

A transgender solicitor in Hull reported a bloke numerous times until the LGBTQ Police Representative took action against the "defendant" by telephoning him and telling him to "watch his thoughts"....the transgender woman said she felt "threatened" by a poem this bloke had re-tweeted....sigh

a reply to: PhyllidaDavenport

Ooffff
Thought crimes?
What has happened to the UK?

a reply to: Tartuffe

But my point remains that ANYONE is entitled to hold their own beliefs and opinions, that should NOT be a crime. If we start (as it seems we have) censoring some beliefs and not others, then that is far from equal and I've no doubt that at some point once again there would be some sort of backlash to being silenced by those that are. There has to be equality across the board and a cessation of knee jerk reactions to percieved insults and hurt feelings.

originally posted by: Tartuffe
If a Muslim shoots up a gay nightclub in Florida and kills 49 people, that's just one crazed loner and no broader lessons can be discerned from his act. If a ethno-nationalist shoots up two mosques and kills 50 people in Christchurch, western civilization is at fault, and we need to impose worldwide restraints on free speech to make sure it doesn't happen again.

Pretty much sums up the world at this point...

I weep for the future..

What do you expect from the people who jail their citizens for Facebook posts?

This is the UK now.

a reply to: PhyllidaDavenport

Offensive?
Maybe.

Bad taste?
Probably.

So #ing what?

No crime has been committed.....for pity's sake, are we just going to sit back and moan about these things on sites like this or are we actually going to get off our arses and do something about this.....its pathetic.

originally posted by: PhyllidaDavenport

This is just the beginning....newspeak thoughtcrime and hold no opinions but official ones is now a reality

This has been going on for a while now on.most places online. You don't notice much on ATS, but try having conversations about the kinds of topics that show up anywhere else and are how far you get. Hell even partly agreeing with them isn't enough, you're either all in with whatever the opinion.of the day is or your...I dunno a whole plethora of terrible things apparently....especially if you mention anything about common sense, self responsibility for actions or critical thinking.

First it was the "thought" police.

Now it's the "word" police.

What's next? 😎

Shouting abuse at a taxi driver very much is a criminal offense just the same as shouting abuse at someone on the street is.

Haven't seen anything that actually says what the online comments actually were so can't really say if there is any justification or not.

a reply to: Freeborn

Normally i would also rail against this draconian action. The 4 arrested are clearly idiotic #wits but that in itself is no crime. Views should be challenged rather banned.

However, to be honest, part of me is glad too. There is so much hatred about in the world at the moment - for Islam, for Christianity, for homosexuality, for women having abortions, for supporting Trump, for hating Trump, etc etc that i am just weary of it - and most people i talk to are the same. It almost makes me wish we went medieval - as in grab the first couple of idiots and hang them as an example to the rest.