Auckland Peace Action says the Free Speech Coalition which is suing Auckland Council for refusing to rent a venue to right wing extremists is full of hypocrites and opportunists.

Spokesperson Valerie Morse says coalition members, which include seasoned politicians like Don Brash, academics and commentators, have taken the bait of Canadians Stefan Molyneux and Lauren Southern, who wrap their rants against Muslims, immigrants and feminists in the cloak of free speech.

She says hate speech is not free speech but an industry for the racist right who use it as a recruiting tool and a show of power.

Their hate speech creates the environment where racist speech and violence against Tangata Whenua, migrants and refugees is acceptable and normalised.

Laura O’Connell Rāpira of Action Station says Don Brash does not support free speech and actively works to shut down Māori voices and Māori representation.

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