Two leftwing US political commentators who were banned from entering the UK by the Home Office will still speak at the Oxford Union via livestream. The Home Office told Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker that their presence in the country was "not conducive to the public good" when they attempted to come to London for the SXSW London event.
Banning rationale
The government has not commented on the specific reasons for the ban, but Uygur, host of the Young Turks podcast, has been accused of propagating antisemitic tropes in his criticism of Israel. He insists his criticisms are limited to analysis of Israeli influence over US policymaking. Piker, a leftwing streamer, has faced backlash for some comments, including reportedly saying on a 2019 stream that "America deserved 9/11," a remark he later apologized for and called "inappropriate."
Piker has stood by his characterization of Hamas as "1,000 times better" than Israel and his claim that he "would vote for Hamas over Israel every single time," made on an episode of Pod Save America. Piker has said he is not antisemitic but anti-Israel.
Oxford Union response
Besides the SXSW invitation, they were also scheduled to speak at the Oxford Union, the world's most prestigious debating society, on Saturday. The Oxford Union president, Arwa Elrayess, expressed deep concern over the revocation of both speakers' electronic travel authorizations. She stated: "The Oxford Union was founded on one principle: that ideas are challenged through debate, not silenced by decree. We have never turned a speaker away because of their political beliefs nor have we sought a permission slip from the state. We will not start now. This event will not be cancelled. The union will ensure this discussion takes place. Free speech does not require a visa."
SXSW London's stance
SXSW London did not make similar provisions. A spokesperson said: "We are aware that Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker are unable to travel to the UK following a decision by the Home Office. They will therefore not be participating in the SXSW London programme this year. Decisions on entry to the UK are a matter for the Home Office and the individuals concerned."
Free speech concerns
Free speech activists criticized the government's decision. Jemimah Steinfeld, chief executive of the Index on Censorship, called it a "worrying escalation." Akiko Hart, director of Liberty, urged transparency, saying: "Free speech can only exist when we defend it for those we disagree with, as uncomfortable as it may feel."
