America’s foundational right to free speech is facing an unsettling threat from across the Atlantic. According to a recent post by America First Legal (AFL) on X, the U.K.-based Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) is allegedly using its U.S. connections and Biden-Harris influence to silence American voices. The AFL claims this group is actively working to curb freedom of expression in both the U.K. and the U.S.
History of Censorship Tactics
The CCDH has a track record of allegedly undermining free speech. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, CCDH became notorious for its involvement in the so-called “Disinformation Dozen,” which led to targeted de-platforming efforts. As AFL’s X post put it, the CCDH was directly involved in the “naming and shaming” of Americans who opposed mainstream COVID-19 narratives, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
With mounting evidence pointing to similar censorship strategies on U.S. soil, AFL warns that the CCDH’s influence could shape America’s future if unchallenged.
Documents Reveal Coordinated Censorship Efforts
Newly surfaced documents suggest that CCDH’s censorship efforts extend well beyond COVID-19 discourse. The records reportedly indicate that CCDH’s U.K. and U.S. branches are collaborating to restrict free speech. AFL has demanded an investigation, contending that CCDH’s alleged ties to British political actors warrant scrutiny under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).
Allegations of Foreign Influence in U.S. Politics
America First Legal has formally requested the U.S. government to investigate CCDH under FARA, citing the organization’s alleged ties to foreign political entities. The AFL’s call for an investigation specifically names individuals connected to CCDH, including Simon Clark, Imran Ahmed, and Thomas Conrad Brookes. The purpose of the probe, AFL states, is “to determine whether they must register as agents of foreign principals, including the UK Labour Party and the Center for Countering Digital Hate Ltd. (‘CCDH UK’), due to their coordinated efforts to censor American citizens’ speech and interfere with our elections.”
The document notes that CCDH’s U.K. branch and the U.K. Labour Party are recognized as foreign principals under FARA. Adding fuel to the controversy, AFL highlights that Keir Starmer, the U.K. Prime Minister and Labour Party member, recently clashed with Elon Musk, possibly due to Musk’s stance on free speech on social media platforms.
The Growing Web of Connections
Further complicating matters, AFL points to CCDH’s U.K. office sharing an address with “Labour Together,” a think tank linked to the U.K. Labour Party. Notably, Jonathan Ashworth, Labour Together’s chief executive, met with Kamala Harris’s campaign team at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago to discuss policy issues. CCDH’s connection to Labour Together, which has been described as its “messaging vehicle” by prominent voices like Matt Taibbi, only raises more questions.
As AFL explains, CCDH’s influence is not limited to the U.K.; it has also taken credit for demonetizing media outlets in the U.K. that it accuses of spreading:
“fake news”
AFL’s Call for Accountability
AFL argues that CCDH U.K. has enlisted its U.S. counterparts to promote censorship policies that echo those of the U.K. Labour Party. According to AFL, CCDH’s mission seems to align closely across borders, with the U.S. and U.K. branches sharing a leadership structure and objective.
As the AFL contends, the lack of separation between CCDH’s U.S. and U.K. branches, coupled with their “CCDH US and CCDH UK share the same mission and reporting chain of command,” makes CCDH U.S. liable to register as a foreign agent.
A Dangerous Agenda Unveiled
Leaked documents reveal a clear agenda within CCDH U.S. to influence political discourse on behalf of foreign interests. The document lists alarming objectives such as “Kill Musk’s Twitter,” “Trigger EU & UK regulatory action,” and “Progress towards change in USA.” These initiatives reflect CCDH’s efforts to shape public policies in the U.S. and abroad, effectively working to curb social media freedoms on a global scale.
What Lies Ahead for Free Speech in America
The CCDH’s agenda and AFL’s legal push signal an escalation in the battle for free speech. CCDH and the U.K. Labour Party are allegedly working to advance censorship policies within the U.S., threatening Americans’ First Amendment rights. Although AFL is challenging this alleged interference, Americans must remain vigilant to safeguard their freedoms.
