JK Rowling challenged Scottish police to arrest her after she denounced Scotland’s new hate crime law which outlaws hatred of people of age, disability, religion, sexual orientation or transgender ideology.
Rowling argued that the law doesn’t seem to protect the rights and freedoms of cisgender women, and that politicians have “placed a higher value on the feelings of men who carry out their ideas of femininity.” Concerns have been raised about the possibility that the new bill could stifle free speech.
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JK Rowling Speaks Out Against Scotland’s New Hate Crime Law
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The “Harry Potter” author took to X (formerly Twitter) to rant about his feelings on the new bill, which would criminalize threatening or abusive behavior aimed at inciting hatred against the elderly, disabled, religious , sexual. transgender orientation, or ideology.
Rowling wrote in a lengthy statement: “The redefinition of ‘woman’ to include every man who declares himself to be one has already had serious consequences for the rights and safety of women and girls in Scotland, with the strongest impact felt , as always, by the most vulnerable, including female prisoners and rape victims.”
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He continued, “It is impossible to accurately describe or address the reality of violence and sexual violence perpetrated against women and girls, or address the current assault on the rights of women and girls unless we are allowed to call men men.”
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JK Rowling Dare Police to Arrest Her When She Returns to Scotland
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The controversial author further stated in his lengthy tweet that freedom of speech is “over” in this country and then dared law enforcement to arrest him.
“Freedom of speech and belief will end in Scotland if accurate descriptions of biological sex are criminalised,” added Rowling.
Rowling later stated that she was abroad, but based on what she wrote, she qualifies as an offender under the terms of the new act.
He stated, “I hope to be arrested when I return to the birthplace of the Scottish Enlightenment.”
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Fears Rise Over Controversial Law Curbing Free Speech
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The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act, which was passed in 2021 and comes into force today, has seen widespread criticism as fears grow that it will be weaponized for political purposes.
According to Every dayMailpolice have said they expect a “huge increase” in reports of alleged crimes, including from people trying to use the new law to silence anyone they disagree with.
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“Our concern is that it could have an impact through a large, potential, increase in reports – some of which are potentially made in good faith but may not meet the legal threshold, or potentially in cases where people are actively trying to use the law to score points against people sitting on the other side of a very controversial debate,” said Rob Hay, president of the Scottish Association of Chief Police Officers.
Hay, in his appearance on BBC Radio Scotland’s “The Sunday Show,” also warned that public trust in the police could be undermined.
“If you have hope for the police to intervene at a certain level and in fact the crime threshold is not met then it is likely that you will be disappointed and lose faith in the police,” he said.
“And on the other hand, if you know very well that something you say doesn’t meet the threshold of a crime and it’s reported to the police and the police come and investigate you, then you might feel that you’ve been blocked, you’ve been silenced,” Hay said.
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Fans React to Author’s Strings
Scotland’s Hate Crime Act comes into effect today. Women don’t get extra protection, of course, but prominent trans activist Beth Douglas, the darling of a famous Scottish politician, falls into the protected category. Phew! 1/11 pic.twitter.com/gCKGwdjr5m
— JK Rowling (@jk_rowling) April 1, 2024
Some fans also took to the comments section to share Rowling’s concerns about the new law.
“Thank you so much for all you do to bring attention to this insanity. It’s dystopian to see this level of misogyny supported and defended by the entire government. You are an inspiration and your courage gives strength to others,” wrote one fan.
Another fan said, “Hate Crime legislation is just another socially acceptable way to censor brands. Now that reality is getting harder, maybe people will wake up.”
“Stand strong, this madness will end soon. I’m sure of it,” wrote a certain optimistic fan.
“It was the most misogynistic time of my life,” one fan lamented.
JK Rowling Is Not Alone
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The prolific writer, however, was not alone in his criticism of the new order.
Jim Sillars, former deputy leader of the Scottish National Party, appears to have launched a campaign to “oppose the Hate Crime Act and campaign for its repeal.”
follow Telegraphhe said the new bill had “struck a deep wound in the face of Scottish society.”
“Today, by their own admission, Police Scotland will transform itself from a service to a force for one purpose – to go after people who speak their minds,” he said in a statement. “How did Scotland, the place of the Enlightenment, come to this?”
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Before her recent tweet about the new law in Scotland, Rowling had been very vocal against issues surrounding the promotion of Trans rights, which had led to her being labeled a transphobe several times.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
