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New law could brand
marriage supporters
as ‘extremists’

Dear marriage supporter,

Since the introduction of same-sex marriage we have drawn attention to ordinary people around the UK who have found their reputations and livelihoods attacked for standing by their beliefs.

Sadly the Government is about to make the situation much worse. The Home Secretary is seeking sweeping new powers to silence ‘extremists’ and disrupt their activities. We strongly support the Government’s fight against terrorism, but we don’t support plans which put basic free speech in jeopardy.

Vague laws will catch law-abiding people

The proposed Extremism Disruption Orders (EDOs) are set to be contained in the new counter-extremism Bill.

We back stopping jihadists, but these vague EDOs appear to be so broadly defined that even supporters of traditional marriage could be branded ‘extremists’. See our short briefing for more information.

Conservative MPs Dominic Grieve and David Davis have voiced alarm about the plans.

Before he became Justice Minister, Dominic Raab MP also said: “The public should certainly expect the security services to track terrorists online, but the broad powers of proposed Extremism Disruption Orders (EDO) could be abused. Those engaged in passionate debates – such as Christians objecting to gay marriage – could find themselves slapped down.”

Home Secretary Theresa May was recently challenged on just this point when the BBC’s John Humphrys asked her whether the “woolly” plans would still allow people to say that gay marriage was damaging to society. We’re not convinced by her answer.

Free speech under threat

People can call us bigots and extremists for believing in traditional marriage – that’s their point of view. But they must not be given power to use the force of law against us.

We have good reason to be concerned. We will be asking you to make your views known to your MP.

Yours sincerely,

Colin Hart
Campaign Director
Coalition for Marriage

Coalition for Marriage Ltd is a Not-for-Profit Company registered in England. Company No. 07880604.