From One Law for All, in the UK:
Dear Friend,
Dear Friend,
You may remember Lloyd Newson’s verbatim hit play ‘Can We Talk About This?’ which enjoyed a
successful run at London’s National Theatre and Sydney Opera House amongst
others. The play focused on the reluctance of media and political figures to
openly discuss the dangers of Islamism and Sharia law.
Featuring speeches and interviews with leading figures from
across the political and cultural spectrum, including One Law for All’s Maryam
Namazie and Anne Marie Waters, the play explored issues of freedom of speech,
censorship and violence, as well as the impact of significant events such as
the ‘Rushdie Affair’, the murder of Dutch film-maker Theo Van Gogh, and the
Mohammed cartoons.
‘Can We Talk About This?’ received rave reviews around the world
and won several high profile awards, including ‘Best Dance or Ballet’ (Helpmann
Awards, Australia 2012) and dance ‘Production of the Year’ (Germany, 2011/12).
Channel 4 decided not to commission the play due to the ‘current
climate’ even though Lloyd Newson’s last film, the Cost of Living, was
commissioned for Channel 4 and won 17 international awards, including a Prix
Italia and the coveted Rose D’or. Similarly the BBC, which had commissioned
previous films from Newson, declined to film the play though they broadcast ‘Jerry
Springer – The Opera’ (which featured Jesus Christ in a nappy). So much for the
supposed ‘bravery’ of Channel 4 and the ‘impartiality’ of the BBC when it comes
to Islam!
This blasphemy-law-by-stealth must be opposed. One Law for All
vehemently objects to the climate of censorship and fear when it comes to Islam
and calls on supporters of freedom of expression to exert pressure on UK
broadcasters to screen this highly successful and relevant play. We must demand
an end to censorship particularly for the many who are suffering under Sharia
law and Islamism across the world and facing threats, imprisonment and the
death penalty for merely speaking their minds.
Please write to the BBC at BBC Audience Services, PO Box 1922,
Darlington DL3 0UR and/or Channel 4 at Channel 4 Television Corporation, 124
Horseferry Road, London SW1P 2TX and ask for this important production to be
screened.
Here are
more addresses:
Channel 4 Chief
Executive: DAbraham@Channel4.co.uk
Channel 4 Chief
Creative Officer: JHunt@Channel4.co.uk
Commissioning
Editor, BBC Music & Events: Jan.Younghusband@bbc.co.uk
BBC Trust: trust.enquiries@bbc.co.uk
We look forward to your support.
Thank you.
Maryam Namazie
Spokesperson
One Law for All
BM Box2387, London
WC1N 3XX, UK
tel: +44 (0) 7719166731
email: onelawforall@gmail.com
web: http://www.onelawforall.org.uk/
Company limited by
guarantee and registered in England and Wales under company number 8122621.
