Jan Macvarish

Education and Events Director of the Free Speech Union. Against antisemitism in all its guises. All views my own.

[Jan Macvarish @janmacvarish]

@WilliamJHague @michaelpforan You and other senior staff should have been there from the first lecture.

[TheSimonEvansX @TheSimonEvansX]

True.

Also, just listen to her. That is an insane level of articulation, intelligence in flow.

Fwiw I am not sure about the Eichmann quote being misremembered from a play. Sounds pretty basic to me. But regardless, can’t remember the last time I heard anyone speak like this.

[Jan Macvarish @janmacvarish]

@TheSimonEvansX Yes, a souped up version of "I made a promise to Esther Rantzen".

[Jan Macvarish @janmacvarish]

@andyf1nn @RidgeandFrost you'd be the patient in that scenario, not the doctor! He's talking about medical professionals maintaining neutrality.
dingbat.

[The Free Speech Union @SpeechUnion]

“There is a crossover between TERFs and Jews because, once your eyes have been opened on one issue, you start going: ‘Well, what else is there?’”

Comedian and GB News presenter @joshxhowie joins @_ConnieShaw on this week’s episode of the FSU Podcast.

A veteran comedian and host of Free Speech Nation on @GBNEWS News, Josh is also a great friend of the FSU.

In this episode, he discusses comedy, cancel culture, his experience as a Jewish man, and why he left the Left.

It’s a fascinating conversation, and you can watch the full episode on the FSU YouTube channel 👇

[The Free Speech Union @SpeechUnion]

Henry Nowak was an 18 year-old student on a night out in Southampton.

He was brutally stabbed with a 21cm ceremonial knife carried by a Sikh man.

The footage released last night is deeply distressing and has shocked us all.

As Henry lay bleeding out on the ground, the police arrested him on an accusation of a racial slur.

When he told officers that he could not breathe and that he had been stabbed, an officer can be heard saying “I don’t think you have, mate”.

Rather than attempt to save this young man’s life, the police were more interested in an accusation of racism.

The last thing Henry heard was being read his rights as he was arrested.

When the police are more concerned with an allegation about words potentially said than the fact that a young man has suffered a fatal knife wound, the extent of the mess our police are in is laid bare.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary have some serious questions to answer.

[The Free Speech Union @SpeechUnion]

At our Belfast event, we saw a familiar example of someone with strong pro-Palestinian views who preferred shouting down opponents to engaging in reasoned debate.

As on all controversial issues, the FSU remains impartial.

Watch Lord Young and FSU Research Director @DavidRoseUK deliver a masterclass in putting an enemy of free speech back in his box 👇

[The Free Speech Union @SpeechUnion]

More and more people are being cancelled simply for exercising their fundamental right to free speech.

It was great to be in Belfast this week meeting members and supporters of the Free Speech Union.

The threat to free speech has never been greater. Across the UK and beyond, people are facing growing pressure, professional consequences and social ostracism for expressing lawful opinions.

Our work is more important than ever.

Watch FSU Northern Ireland Advisory Council member Baroness Hoey (@CatharineHoey) below 👇

[Jan Macvarish @janmacvarish]

@Efch17 @squinteratn @SpeechUnion He spoke, the panel replied, he heckled, that was it. No-one stopped anyone speaking. The 'no filming rule' is to protect other attendees who may not want their faces, comments and questions put out into the wider public domain. Perfectly reasonable.

[Jan Macvarish @janmacvarish]

@paddyccc @squinteratn There were 4 panels, 12 speakers. 7 women, 5 men. Do you want to know their sexual preferences and genetic make-up?

[Jenny Holland @SemperFemina21]

I'm still buzzing (recovering) after a fab @SpeechUnion roadshow in Belfast. Meeting their brilliant young team restored my hope for the future. Top tier banter too. Haven't laughed that much in ages. Keep an eye out for @BenBarryJones new book -- it's possibly my fave book ever.
@_ConnieShaw @toadmeister

[Jan Macvarish @janmacvarish]

@squinteratn @SpeechUnion You bought a ticket live everyone else in the room, didn't request a press pass. You were treated like everyone else in the room - asked not to film so that people can speak freely without fear of the kind of repurcussions described throughout the evening by FSU staff.

[Jan Macvarish @janmacvarish]

@paddyccc @squinteratn Yes, that's right. That's exactly what happened. I organised the event and we let anyone speak from the floor.

[Jan Macvarish @janmacvarish]

@squinteratn A very dishonest account of the full 6 minute video in which the clip of Lucy Connolly appeared for around 20 seconds, as one amongst many people FSU has defended when their speech has resulted in completely disproportionate authoritarianism.

[Jan Macvarish @janmacvarish]

@squinteratn The answer was: we would defend anyone who criticised an idea, such as Islam or Christianity, depending on the context in which they made their protest, but would not defend someone who directly harassed or threatened an individual for holding that faith. A principled position.

[Jan Macvarish @janmacvarish]

@squinteratn @SpeechUnion Well, that was the cynic's take. Others did actually find it inspiring to hear from young people who are trying to make sure that students get to hear and express the full range of views.

[Jan Macvarish @janmacvarish]

@squinteratn That isn't what was said. The young panel was asked whether the FSU had supported any student societies in NI. The answer was 'not yet' but they would be very welcome to apply to our funding programme for students who want to exercise their free speech.

[Jan Macvarish @janmacvarish]

@squinteratn @SpeechUnion At least 2 of these notices were unavoidable on your way in. We do this so that people can speak freely in the room, as you did. No-one stopped your speech and my colleague gave you a serious response.

[GB News @GBNEWS]

'This exhibit completely dismantled everything that I thought I knew.'

Former pro-Palestine activist Taryn Thomas joins @JoshxHowie to discuss whether the Nova music festival exhibition has the power to change minds on the Israel-Palestine conflict.