I’ve been thinking about what I said here because I found it quite difficult to concoct this argument. Basically I think there is truth to Barry’s argument. There are some particularly intolerant laws in Russia and I am against the UK following suit in that respect. However, the more I think about the counter argument I made, I don’t think I am really wrong either and that’s really sad.
In theory we probably do have a limited amount of extra freedom in the west to protest and when that limit is exceeded there is probably some degree of additional tolerance, but apart from some outliers at the edge of society who are willing to risk being subjected to the more tolerant consequences, for the sake of making limited to no real impact, who is actually willing and able to exercise that extra freedom?
Where is the huge benefit to feel smug about of having a right to protest if no one listens to you?
If you’re not willing to test the limits of your freedom what difference does it really make if the consequences of exceeding the limits are mild or extreme?