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Katie Dancey-Downs

@katiedd.bsky.social

530 followers 250 following 150 posts

Half deputy editor @IndexCensorship, half freelance writer on freedoms, the planet and culture at BBC News, New Internationalist, Resurgence, the Independent, i News, Eurovision & others | Opinions my own or plagiarised | She/her www.katiedancey.co.uk

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Katie Dancey-Downs @katiedd.bsky.social · Nov 13

Are we doing… intros?

Journalist from Dorset here with a passion for human rights, the planet and culture, at risk of being crushed by my own TBR pile.

Likes: Books, sea swims & cake

Dislikes: Authoritarians, chauvinists & mushrooms

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Katie Dancey-Downs @katiedd.bsky.social · 13h

It was such a pleasure to talk to Rachel Seiffert for #BannedBooksWeekUK. We talked about dark family histories, school book bans and why staying silent is an active decision.

Index on Censorship @indexoncensorship.org · 1d

Author Rachel Seiffert writes to stop history repeating itself by confronting her difficult ancestry, linked to Nazi Germany. For #BannedBooksWeekUK, she talks to Index about the parallels between the past & present and how staying silent is not an option: www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/10/bann...

Reposted by Katie Dancey-Downs

Index on Censorship @indexoncensorship.org · 2d

The Yacoubian Building author, #AlaaAlAswany, saw his book banned in #Egypt - a reminder of why dictators fear stories that speak truth. What are you reading for #BannedBooksWeekUK? www.indexoncensorship.org/bannedbooksw...

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Katie Dancey-Downs @katiedd.bsky.social · 2d

Imagine the worst possible government you can - I mean real bad guys. Now imagine they have access to the new anti-protest powers being suggested.

And that, for starters, is why it must not happen.

Index on Censorship @indexoncensorship.org · 3d

Successive #UK laws have restricted protest and now the UK government wants to ban repeat protests in the same area. While we recognise that some safety concerns exist, the police already have powers to handle serious disruptions. Any added restrictions come at too high a cost to our freedom.

Reposted by Katie Dancey-Downs

Index on Censorship @indexoncensorship.org · 3d

International bestselling author #JunoDawson has had her books pulled from shelves in both the #US and #UK. This #BannedBooksWeekUK, she's calling on us all to read a banned book and share it on socials.

Join the movement: www.indexoncensorship.org/bannedbooksw...

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Reposted by Katie Dancey-Downs

Index on Censorship @indexoncensorship.org · 4d

#BannedBooksWeekUK begins today! From 5-11 Oct, join us in celebrating the freedom to read.

📖 Read a banned book
🎤 Host /attend an event
📚 Organise a book swap
📱Share on socials #BannedBooksWeekUK

www.indexoncensorship.org/bannedbooksw...

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Reposted by Katie Dancey-Downs

sianushka.bsky.social @sianushka.bsky.social · 7d

First, I want to emphasise that I completely disagree with this policy. The reason refugees have different rights in the immigration system is not because being a refugee is a “golden ticket” ffs, but because their experience of arriving is fraught with danger

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

Starmer to end asylum ‘golden ticket’ of resettlement and family reunion rights

People granted asylum will have to earn right to invite family in plan charities call ‘straight from populist playbook’

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Katie Dancey-Downs

Dr Emma L Briant 🇬🇧 in 🇺🇸 @emmalbriant.bsky.social · 11d

Hostile environment policies encourage illegal exploitative employment practices and discourage vulnerable people from seeking help - they do not stop migrants coming.

Antonella Napolitano @svaroschi.bsky.social · 11d

"The Britcard proposal creates a false choice [...] It assumes that the current system’s problems stem from insufficient verification technology, when in fact they arise from the hostile environment policies that the technology would serve to strengthen."
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...

The Britcard – progressive or concerning? | British Politics and Policy at LSE

The Government is considering Labour Together's proposal to introduce mandatory digital ID cards in an effort to tackle irregular migration. There are problems with that.

blogs.lse.ac.uk

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Katie Dancey-Downs @katiedd.bsky.social · 11d

If there was ever a reason to buy more sequins, it might be that

Katie Dancey-Downs @katiedd.bsky.social · 11d

They’re never going to give me studio audience tickets now, are they?

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Katie Dancey-Downs @katiedd.bsky.social · 11d

🙃

Katie Dancey-Downs @katiedd.bsky.social · 11d

That’s no way to talk about Tess Daley.

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Katie Dancey-Downs @katiedd.bsky.social · 12d

This is the kind of action we need. Communities saying no to censorship.

www.theguardian.com/education/20...

Dorset school urged to reinstate banned book about race to reading list

Budmouth Academy in Weymouth removed The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas after complaint from parent

www.theguardian.com

Katie Dancey-Downs @katiedd.bsky.social · 12d

I am so pleased that we’re bringing #bannedbooksweek back to the UK.

Less pleased that we need it.

Has everyone got their censored literature at the ready?

Index on Censorship @indexoncensorship.org · 13d

Banned Books Week UK starts next Sunday! Help spread the word:

🔹Post on social media
🔹Share your favourite banned book
🔹Use the #BannedBooksWeekUK

Check out our social media pack, printable posters & resources: www.indexoncensorship.org/bannedbooksw... @thebookseller.com @hayfestival.bsky.social

Katie Dancey-Downs @katiedd.bsky.social · 14d

If you’re wondering why Banned Books Week (just a couple of weeks away) is needed in the UK, may I introduce you to the latest development, fresh from my own county 🤦‍♀️

www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/2549069...

Parent slams school over 'racist' book that makes white people 'baddies'

A ROW has broken out over the choice of books being read by Weymouth secondary school students which has 'shocked and appalled' some parents.

www.bournemouthecho.co.uk

Katie Dancey-Downs @katiedd.bsky.social · 15d

We're actually a very serious town for very serious parties.

Katie Dancey-Downs @katiedd.bsky.social · 15d

Actual footage of the Lib Dem conference kicking off in Bournemouth.

Summertime Special

YouTube video by trofuaeb1

youtu.be

Katie Dancey-Downs @katiedd.bsky.social · 15d

Ed Davey might be the answer to the question: why has Bournemouth got a tiny pier-to-beach zip wire?

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Katie Dancey-Downs @katiedd.bsky.social · 18d

Sounds legit

NPR @npr.org · 18d

The Pentagon is implementing new guidelines that will require journalists to sign a pledge and agree to report only approved and officially released information.

Defense Secretary Hegseth requires new 'pledge' for reporters at the Pentagon

The Pentagon is implementing new guidelines that will require journalists to sign a pledge and agree to report only approved and officially released information.

www.npr.org

Reposted by Katie Dancey-Downs

Index on Censorship @indexoncensorship.org · 20d

"It’s just creating this atmosphere of fear and intimidation.” Book bans across #US libraries & public institutions are linked to #Trump's broader campaign for control. @katiedd.bsky.social explores the growing threat to independent thinking: www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/09/an-u...

An un-American story on book bans - Index on Censorship

Librarians and public institutions in the US are facing a growing threat to independent thinking and tolerant values

www.indexoncensorship.org

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Katie Dancey-Downs @katiedd.bsky.social · 20d

My piece for the USA issue of @indexoncensorship.org on... what else? Book bans.

Index on Censorship @indexoncensorship.org · 20d

Libraries & public institutions in the #US face continued book bans, which have only increased since #DonaldTrump's second term. Index’s @katiedd.bsky.social explores how these bans go beyond controlling what people read and instead aim to control ideas:
www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/09/an-u...

Reposted by Katie Dancey-Downs

Index on Censorship @indexoncensorship.org · 21d

We are concerned by news that four people have been arrested over a projection on Windsor Castle protesting the arrival of #DonaldTrump. This seems to be another heavy-handed response to dissent by police:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Four arrests after images of Trump and Epstein projected on Windsor Castle

Police said four people remain in custody after the

www.bbc.co.uk

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Katie Dancey-Downs @katiedd.bsky.social · 23d

👇

Index on Censorship @indexoncensorship.org · 23d

Free speech isn’t just the right to speak - it’s the right for others to speak too. #TommyRobinson invoking “free speech” on Saturday in London while marching against entire communities isn’t about freedom. It's about control. Defending free speech means opposing that too.

Reposted by Katie Dancey-Downs

Peter Jukes @peterjukes.bsky.social · 24d

I want my country back. The country that welcomed my Grandfather fleeing from the Armenian genocide. That welcomed the Polish grandfather of our political editor, who then fought against Hitler. That welcomed the Indian parents of our editor-in-chief, as citizens of the British Empire. That country

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Katie Dancey-Downs @katiedd.bsky.social · 24d

A mean kid called me a “stupid old lady” today.

But it’s ok, because my five year old told me he doesn’t think I’m a stupid old lady. He thinks I’m a lovely old lady 👵🏼

Reposted by Katie Dancey-Downs

Jemimah Steinfeld @jemimahsteinfeld.bsky.social · 27d

We don’t know why Charlie Kirk was killed but we do know that the responses have been awful, from people like Trump threatening those on left to Kirk's political opponents thinking it's just desserts. These reactions will only increase polarisation. My take www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/09/char...

Charlie Kirk's murder: Use words to counter speech you don't like, not bullets - Index on Censorship

People may disagree with the views of the right-wing influencer and Trump ally but his death must be condemned

www.indexoncensorship.org

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