There is nothing wrong with protesting about the views of any newspaper, whether on climate change or Covid-19, or in challenging coverage of any issue. There is, however, something objectionable to take it upon oneself to decide what others should be able to read. Disruption to the papers may have been temporary, but the idea that one should censor unacceptable political opinions is a permanent problem.
At the heart of any struggle for justice is the willingness to build a movement by persuading people of the righteousness of one’s cause, not by coercing them to change their views. “If you want my support,” as Victor put it, “ask it of me freely.”
This is absolutely correct, of course. However, the bit that Kenan Malk misses is that coercion is at the heart of these movements. As seen over at Samizdata:
Darren Grimes said it well:
Extinction Rebellion hasn’t been ‘infiltrated’.
Black Lives matter hasn’t been ‘infiltrated’.
These movements were never about the environment or racial justice.
These movements were always about control.
They cannot win at the ballot box, so they have to use other means.
Coercion is precisely what these scumbags are about, it is in the DNA of their movement. They have no intention of persuading anyone. They certainly have nothing but contempt for the ballot box, so bullying and coercion is what they do.
The sooner these organisations are proscribed as terrorist groups, the better, frankly, for that is what they are.
Telegraph yesterday the same “infiltrated by far left”
Whut? XR has always been Far Left; same as Antifa, BLM, CND…
Nope, no need to do anything, just lay back and watch them eat themselves as they always do ?
Btw, whatever happens to CND, Nuclear weapons are still with us but they don’t seem to be.?
As I’ve said before elsewhere. CND are still with us, still dominated by the far left but with considerably less members than they used to have.