RIGHT MINDS NZ

MEDIA ADVISORY

Right Minds NZ founder Dieuwe de Boer says that several Free Speech Rallies will be held around New Zealand in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch on Saturday 14 July at midday. “New Zealand is relatively free country compared to much of the world because of our values of freedom of speech and expression. When these are challenged, supporters of liberty must mobilise quickly to defend these essential foundations of a civilised society.”

The creation of the nationwide rallies is in response to steps taken by Auckland Council to ban Canadian speakers Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux from using the council-owned venue they had already booked months earlier.

“It’s unclear exactly why this has happened because the process has been so shambolic. FIANZ president Hazim Arafeh called for the pair to be banned from the country completely because he was afraid that they would insult Muslims, which would add an incredibly low religious test to free speech in this country. Auckland Live cited safety concerns following threats from the Orwellian group named Auckland Peace Action to harass and blockade the event. That is the protection of incitement to violence over the right to free speech. Prior to the cancellation announcement, Phil Goff tweeted that he was personally deciding to block them from using the venue because he disagreed with their political views. In a ratepayer owned venue, that is an unacceptable attack on free speech."

“Whichever way you look at it, the Council’s position is completely untenable.”

The Auckland Rally will be held at Aotea Square featuring:

Stephen Berry - Act

Jordan Williams - Free Speech Coalition

Elliot Ikilei - New Conservative Deputy Leader

Dieuwe de Boer - Right Minds NZ

The Wellington Rally will be held at Parliament Buildings featuring:

Lindsay Perigo - Free Speech Coalition

Rachel Poulain - Free Speech Coalition

Tim Levchenko-Scott - Right Minds NZ

The Christchurch Rally will be held at Entertainment Triangle, North Hagley Park.

Mr. de Boer says, “It doesn’t matter what your views of Southern’s and Molyneux’s opinions may be. Several of our speakers do not agree with what they have to say. What we are united on; what New Zealanders are largely agreed upon; is that free speech is important, fundamental, and non-negotiable.”

Ends

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