Frankie Boyle joins call to halt proscription of Palestine Action
Signatories include the two Scots, as well as many others from north of the border, as well as the likes of Caroline Lucas, Max Porter and Vinay Patel.
Boyle has been vocal in his support for Palestine and the group say it is an attack on the freedom of political expression if the proscription goes ahead.
Speaking about it, Brady said: 'Civil disobedience, protest and the expression of political solidarity is not terrorism. To say that it is would be an indictment of the UK democracy and every self-respecting comedian should take a stand!'
Frankie Boyle
The Author Statement on the Right to Freedom of Speech adds: 'What is at stake here is the very principle of freedom of political expression as we know it in the UK. Whether we as individuals support Palestine Action is irrelevant: we oppose their proscription on principle.
'Civil disobedience is not 'terrorism', as history shows us, from the suffragettes to Martin Luther King Jr. It is the right of all citizens in a democracy. In 2004, Keir Starmer made this very argument when he represented an activist who sabotaged a military aircraft, making the case that his actions were lawful because they aimed to prevent an 'illegal war'.'
The statement has been released to align with the vote on the proposed ban in parliament on Monday.
It insists that support of Palestine Action is not the aim of the coalition but says it is against classing the group's action at RAF Brize Norton on June 20 as an act of terrorism and believes it is 'completely unprecedented' in the UK.
The coalition, which is made up of signatories across the political spectrum, urges the government to reconsider its plans. It calls on the government to halt the proposed ban and uphold the essential principles of freedom of expression and the right to protest that are cornerstones of British democracy.
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Novelist and screenwriter Nikesh Shukla is one who signed it and said: 'As a precedent for what constitutes free speech and appropriate civil disobedience, this is appalling. I hope all free speech advocates across the divide call this what it is: unjust and wrong.'
Comedian Josie Long added: 'Comedians talk a lot about freedom of speech being under threat. But this is the real deal – it would make it illegal simply to express verbal support for Palestine Action. Keir Starmer's government is criminalising our right to express political solidarity. If they come for Palestine Action, make no mistake: they will come for you next. Every comedian, everyone with a platform needs to speak up.'
Poet Rebecca Tamás said: 'If this government truly believes in free speech and freedom of expression, then it will not proscribe Palestine Action. This is the action of an authoritarian regime, not an open and trustworthy democracy.'
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