A group of politicians, lawyers, and commentators in favour of free speech has hired a Queen's Counsel to sue Auckland Council for banning two controversial far-right Canadian speakers from using city-owned venues.
In a statement today, the Free Speech Coalition confirmed it will be filing judicial review proceedings against the council, after it banned Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux from using the council-owned Bruce Mason Centre on Auckland's North Shore next month.
The pair are known for holding far-right views on immigration, feminism and Islam.
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff said he made the decision to deny them access to city venues.
![Auckland Council and Auckland mayor Phil Goff banned the two speakers from using city-owned venues. Photo / Greg Bowker](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/FVC725IST7CL6OLYGSYSGYDGBU.jpg?auth=e80a316e09faf4fa06f9c499fc112936674922643bbd6b3e615ee3978b8e43fb&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)