Speakers' Corner is an open-air public speaking location in Hyde Park, London, where anyone can discuss almost any topic.
It is the original and most famous corner, but other spots in London and other regions and countries have also been established as Speakers' Corners.
Hyde Park's Speakers' Corner is located closest to Marble Arch and is a lawful spot for open-air public speaking, discussions, and debates. Speakers are allowed to speak about any legal topic, but the police can intervene if there are complaints. The area for public speeches covers Hyde Park Corner, Victoria Gate, the Serpentine, Marble Arch, and the Broad Walk.
Speakers' Corner has welcomed iconic figures such as Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin, George Orwell, and many others throughout history. The park has also been a site of public riots and protests, including those by the Chartist movement and the Reform League.
Contrary to common belief, Speakers at Speakers' Corner do not have immunity from the law. They can speak about any lawful topic, but profanity and prohibited speech such as blasphemy, obscenity, insulting the Queen, or inciting a breach of the peace are not allowed.
Speakers' Corner is celebrated for demonstrating the tolerance that the law extends to different opinions. Lord Justice Sedley has noted that it exemplifies the right to free speech, including the right to be offensive, as stated in Article 10 of the European Convention of Human Rights.
Speakers' Corner has been referenced in various books, TV shows, and movies, including "A Summer in the Park" by Tony Allen and "Religulous," where Bill Maher appears at Speakers' Corner impersonating a Scientologist.
While other parks in London have established Speakers' Corners