Hate Crime Law Challenge: J.K. Rowling Takes a Stand

Bestselling author J.K. Rowling has called for her own arrest in a challenge to a controversial aspect of proposed reforms to Scottish hate crime law. The new law would expand the definition of hate crimes to include “offensive” speech. A provision that Rowling and others argue could criminalize legitimate discussions and open the door to censorship.

The proposed changes to Scottish hate crime law have met with opposition from free speech advocates. Who argue that deeming speech “offensive” is too broad and subjective a standard. They warn this could see people investigated and charged over tweets, jokes, or comments. That some find offensive but not intended to stir up hatred. Rowling has been a vocal critic of this provision.

The Controversial Provision

In a series of tweets last week, Rowling directly challenged the Scottish government. By saying she would be willing to be arrest to stand against the new offensive speech provision. “I defy the Scottish Government to arrest me for speaking my mind on gender identity,” she wrote. Rowling argued Scotland was “on the brink of introducing a law that will make future debate on issues like gender recognition almost impossible.”

How the Scottish government responds to Rowling’s public challenge remains to be seen. But the high-profile author has certainly brought greater attention to the controversial aspects of the proposed changes to Scottish hate crime law and sparked new debate around balancing protections against true hate crimes while upholding free expression.