As you read about “free speech” in the UK, and their wonderful Human Rights Act, be reminded that we fought a war to get out from under them for a reason.
The rights to free speech and protest, along with the right to form and join associations or groups, are found in Articles 10 and 11 of the Human Rights Act.
These rights can be limited by law to protect the interests of others, but only when the limitation is proportionate and necessary in a democratic society.
So, for example:
the right to free speech will not protect a person who tries to spread hateful lies against another but it will protect fair comment;
the right to protest won’t protect violent gatherings but it will protect peaceful protest.
In recent years we have seen a variety of measures introduced that undermine the right to protest and freedom of speech. Read more here.