Free Speech News Round-Up 11 || February 24, 2022

The big news today was the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Seeing the numerous protests in Russia in opposition to the war has given me hope in this bleak moment, so I'd thought it would be a good time to dive into some free speech news headlines.

Russians Protest Invasion of Ukraine, Despite the Risks

Despite the risks, thousands of Russians have protested today throughout the country in opposition to Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine. According to The Guardian, over 1,700 people have already been arrested for speaking out.1 The information comes from OVD-Info, a human rights group which catalogues abuses against those who speak out against the Russian government and provides legal assistance.2 OVD-Info has previously come under attack by the Russian government, and was blocked under new, restrictive regulations.3 The protestors no doubt expected the crackdown; heavy-handed action against opposition to the Kremlin has a long history in Russia. This includes a wide crackdown just last year of protestors demanding the release of opposition figure Alexey Navalny.4

The protestors' willingness to risk arrest for voicing opposition is an inspiration. If they are willing to take that risk in order to exercise their free speech rights, then those of us in countries with stronger free speech protections have no excuse not to exercise it on behalf of peace.

Activist Gets Reprieve in Free Speech Case Against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

In America, activist Ravi Ragbir, a legal immigrant from Trinidad, has settled a lawsuit with ICE, alleging that they targeted him for deportation for speaking out against them.5 This fits in a broader pattern of ICE targeting its immigrant critics. The organization Immigrant Rights Voices has tracked over a thousand incidents of surveillance and retaliation against those who have spoken out against abusive practices against immigrants rights activists.6 Yet, despite this, the Supreme Court of the United States has shown hostility to protecting the free speech rights of immigrants.