Auckland mayor sued for a ban on the far-right

The mayor of New Zealand's largest city is being sued after banning two controversial Canadian far-right speakers from public places in the city.

Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux to speak in Auckland next month After a tour of Australia, the organizers of the forum put their finger on security and safety reasons.

The couple is known for its controversial views on feminism, immigration and Islam and Ms Southern was banned from entering the UK in March. She was first barred from entering Australia but obtained permission last week, with her first engagement in Melbourne on Friday.

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff – former minister and leader of the New Zealand Labor Party – did not hesitate disapproval for the speakers and said that they were free to speak in a place private, the council was not comfortable to welcome them.

"Let me be very clear, the right to freedom of speech does not mean the right to get a platform of the Auckland Council for this speech," he tweeted.

"Our sites should not be used to stir up ethnic or religious tensions, opinions that divide rather than unite are repugnant and I have clearly expressed my point of view on this." [19659002] This decision sparked heated debate, praise from those who want to totally exclude the couple and hostile reactions to the groups.

A crowdfunding campaign calling the Free Speech Coalition said it collected more than $ 50,000 within 24 hours and, on Wednesday, announced to have sued the mayor and council

two members of the group and Axiomatic Media, the promoter of the speaking event. ] "This action is intended to prevent politicians and public servants from discriminating against views they do not like about taxpayer funded theaters. To what extent opinions could be "unacceptable," said member David Cumin

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff

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"The Mayor is anxious that the police say that she can not respect her duty to keep the peace and protect speech – a sad contrast with Australia we were not expecting. "

Action, filed in High Court, requests that Council's decision be overturned in violation of New Zealand's Bill of Rights Act Rights Act

. but one of the venues hosting the speakers belongs to local councils or state governments.