#alternate spotlight * * Place an advert * Buy a photo * Local Projects * Plus Rewards * Puzzles * Like us * Follow us Login Register Nottingham Post [] ° (*) Site ( ) Directory ____________________Search Phrase (BUTTON) * * News * Sport * What's On * Jobs * Property * Cars * Directory * Offers * Notices * Buy&Sell * Dating * Subscribe * ALL * Crime * Emergency Services * Transport * Health * Politics * Business * Education * Jobs * Shopping * Trending * Nottingham Post Good Deeds * I Believe In Miracles Columnist Richard Baker: Has Nottinghamshire forgotten Charlie Hebdo already? By Nottingham Post | Posted: January 26, 2015 Jazz musician Gilad Atzmon says he wasn't coming to Arnold to talk Jewish politics but to play the sax and clarinet. Jazz musician Gilad Atzmon says he wasn't coming to Arnold to talk Jewish politics but to play the sax and clarinet. Columnist Richard Baker: Has Nottinghamshire forgotten Charlie Hebdo already? (BUTTON) X * Share Tweet Share Pin It Email ____________________ Copy link to paste in your message / * [9380739.jpg] Jazz musician Gilad Atzmon says he wasn't coming to Arnold to talk Jewish politics but to play the sax and clarinet. * [9380739-thumb.jpg] * Six caravans pitch up as travellers move onto Nottingham Business Park Six caravans pitch up as travellers move onto Nottingham... 1 * Arnold teenage missing from home Arnold teenage missing from home 1 * Nottingham volunteer claims he was physically abused by the Israeli military Nottingham volunteer claims he was physically abused by the... 1 Comments (1) THE rights and wrongs of free expression can sometimes seem so complicated that we tie ourselves in knots. Yet a couple of weeks ago they became crystal clear. No matter what offence the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo had or hadn't caused it should never have been censored with a machine gun. You may not agree with its portrayal of the Prophet Muhammad, but the right to poke fun at religion and the right to question belief in the same way that we do politics is well-established in Western society. You don't have to agree with what someone says – you don't even have to listen – but it's wrong to muzzle them. Indeed, how would people be able to question a point of view if they didn't know it existed? Despite that blinding clarity, two organisations in Notts have travelled back in time, put their censorious hats on, and closed the door on discussion in a pretty depressing way. Related content * Six caravans pitch up as travellers move onto Nottingham Business Park * Arnold teenage missing from home * Nottingham volunteer claims he was physically abused by the Israeli military At Nottingham Trent University, the Students Union initially voted to ban an organisation which would have supported UKIP. In Gedling, the Borough Council banned a performance by a Jewish musician after a letter from 13 people protested against things he'd said. In Trent's case, we'll have to pass over the reasons why as the Students Union refused to explain them (an irony in itself) before later changing its mind. Gedling Borough Council was more explicit – though it was short on detail about the 13 people whose views determined that Gilad Atzmon shouldn't be heard on publicly-owned property. Atzmon says he wasn't coming to Arnold to talk Jewish politics but to play the sax and clarinet. He does that pretty well by all accounts, having performed with a few people who do find it possible to share a stage with him: Pink Floyd, Paul McCartney, Robbie Williams and Sinead O'Connor, for example. It's difficult to see what the Trent Students Union or Gedling Borough Council thought would be achieved by banning UKIP or a saxophonist. Not giving them a stage doesn't make their views go away. In the case of UKIP, a ban was likely to fuel the suspicions of supporters that politics' usual suspects were trying to keep them out. The union revealed a U-turn a day later. Gedling says it has a "responsibility to build and maintain good community relations, including between people of different races and religions" and that allowing Atzmon to perform was "inconsistent" with that. Yet its decision risks being seen as the exact opposite. Those who disapprove of what he says don't have to listen. In allowing him to play a sax on stage the council wouldn't be condoning whatever views he holds. In banning him, it has acted like an archaic official censor. There's a magazine which would have had an awful lot of fun with decisions such as these. Some of its people even died for the right to do so. Have we forgotten that already? * * Report this article Read more from Nottingham Post * Most Recent * Most Commented * Most Read * Thumbnail image Mobile speed camera locations across Nottinghamshire for week... * Thumbnail image 30 staff leave struggling school in last 8 months * Thumbnail image Indoor gardens, TV screen panels and cooktop extractors coming to... * Thumbnail image Call to bring back Nottingham's tram conductors - as 121 people... * Thumbnail image Bosses say drops in Nottingham tram performance were 'expected' * Thumbnail image Djanogly City Academy student wet herself – because teacher... * Default image £250 million revamp of intu Broadmarsh area to start Friday - but brace yourself for... * Default image ‘Flash in the sky’ filmed above Nottinghamshire road – what was it? * Default image Spooky lights spotted in abandoned Sneinton tower block Do you have something to say? Leave your comment here... max 4000 characters submit Comments * Newest * Oldest * Best Rated * Profile image for jeaniebarton jeaniebarton | February 03 2015, 11:09AM I am sad and frustrated to report that last night's talk where Gilad invited those who have issues with his politics to discuss them with him at the Canalhouse Pub on Canal Street was cancelled last minute by the venue who were so afraid of possible 'trouble' that they shut entirely to protect customers and staff. Now I was told after a good 30 minutes of trying to find out what had happened that the talk had moved to the Salutation - anyone know anyone who made it there? This extreme fear of discussing the issues around Israel and Palestine terrifies me - who are these people to be so intimidating in the face of questioning? The power to shut a pub though fear of free speech? And after cancelling a jazz gig at a council run theatre? This is indeed some terrible bullying... I have been in contact with Gilad and asked to interview him as I for one feel ashamed at the way Nottingham has treated him. | 0 Report YOUR COMMENTS AWAITING MODERATION Voucher Deals * Voucher Deal Image 25% OFF ALL ONLINE ORDER... Take Away Meal Outlets Print voucher * Voucher Deal Image SMOOTH MOVES - Letting... Letting Agents Print voucher * Voucher Deal Image January SALE!!! Garden Design Print voucher * Voucher Deal Image 10% Discount off the... Indian Restaurants Print voucher * Voucher Deal Image FREE property auction... Estate Agents Print voucher (BUTTON) × Report Abuse Name * ____________________ Email * ____________________ What is the primary reason you are reporting this message as abusive? [General Abuse______] Additional Comments? 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