After being arrested and sentenced to 13 months in prison for, essentially, ignoring a media gag order and reporting on a Muslim rape gang trial, British activist and citizen journalist Tommy Robinson has been released.
Lord Chief Justice Ian Burnett and two other judges overturned the conviction after finding that the original judge rushed the initial trial, preventing Robinson from adequately defending himself. The trio of judges ostensibly felt that Robinson was treated unfairly due to the muddled nature of the hearing – though the Free Tommy Rally and other various protests around the world quite likely didn’t hurt.
So the calls to free Tommy Robinson have been heeded – for now. He was released on bail. His only condition of bail is that he attend his new hearing.
Who Is Tommy Robinson?
As Liberty Nation’s Mark Angelides explained, Tommy Robinson – born Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – began and organized the English Defense League (EDL) after two shocking experiences. First, he discovered that young men from his hometown of Luton were recruited to fight for the Taliban. Later, he saw Islamists protest a British army homecoming parade, during which they were allowed to spit at and abuse the soldiers and their families – all in the name of keeping the peace.
After his split from the EDL, Tommy continued to protest the Islamization of Britain – a quest which has seen him imprisoned more than once.
A Political Prisoner
While the May 2018 arrest and same-day conviction and sentencing was ostensibly for contempt of court regarding a previously suspended sentence, the real reason is censorship. Not so sure? Well, his initial suspended sentence was for violating a media gag order and reporting on a trial for men accused of being part of a Muslim rape gang, as it allegedly had the potential to “derail a fair trial.” His most recent violation? Once again reporting outside a court during a similar trial.
Not-So-Free Speech in the UK
There is no real freedom of speech in the U.K. As Leesa K. Donner wrote in “Media Suppression and Tyrannical Governments,” the British government often issues gag orders, called Defense and Security Media Advisory Notices (DSMA-Notices), prohibiting the press from reporting on certain issues. These are quite common for trials – especially ones that showcase the rape epidemic that has resulted from uncontrolled Islamic immigration without any hint of assimilation.
US Intervention?
The villainy and absurdity of imprisoning a man – in solitary confinement, no less – for exposing and fighting the massive culture rot of this rape epidemic hasn’t just caused protests at home and abroad. It has led some Americans to question whether we should step in on Mr. Robinson’s behalf.
U.S. Representative Paul Gosar (R-AZ) took the matter to his fellow Congressmen:
“Mr. Robinson, a British Activist and journalist, was arrested and jailed for simply filming outside a public courtroom, and was sentenced to 13 months for this “crime.” His real crime is his refusal to agree to the government’s efforts to cover up crimes by Muslim gangs who are raping British girls.”
He also tweeted directly at the president that the U.K. seemed more concerned with covering up rape than seeking truth.
Thankfully, such interference doesn’t seem necessary – for now. Though Tommy has been released, it’s entirely possible he could be resentenced at his hearing later this year – possibly as early as September, according to The Sun.
Robinson Family Reunited
After his release, Robinson refused to comment to reporters, saying that “all the British media do is lie. I have a lot to say but nothing to you.” In a video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Tommy explains that he was subject to all manner of hit pieces by the mainstream British media. He read a heart-breaking letter from his wife and called the solitary confinement mental torture.
But he refuses to be bitter. As he stood in his home, awaiting the arrival of his unsuspecting children, Robinson said that if he’s bitter and angry, then he accepts his own victimhood. “I’m their target; I’m not their victim,” he declared.
He spent over half the five-minute video thanking people for their support – for the protests, the rallies, and the letters and emails. When he gets back from his vacation, he plans to watch everything that has happened since his arrest – and he wants everyone who has supported him along the way to join him.
Regardless of what may happen later this year, Mr. Robinson is jubilant, if not a bit flabbergasted, to be home and able to spend time with his family. He may well end up right back in jail after the new hearing – but not if the myriad Tommy Robinson supporters around the world have anything to say about it.