For Women Scotland - Public meeting on Women's Rights in Scotland - Edinburgh, 31/1/19

The Guardian gives one quote from Sisters Uncut and then two different quotes from the Sisters Uncut people protesting outside the meeting.

And only after that does the article get to the substance of the meeting. And quotes one person who spoke at the meeting.

And the URL states "activists disagree about transgender legislation".

Apparently The Guardian is willing to cover women's issues but only if the blokes get to talk first and frame the issues as transphobic.

Donation made by me too. We should not require 8 security guards for a bunch of women to meet, it's absurd.

Good to get the meeting in the Guardian. I arrived 15 min late and the protesters had all gone by then and there were only 3 when I left.
Great speeches by the women and interesting discussion afterwards. Lots of ideas on moving forward and more things to do.

woah ForwomenScot ! that is a really sympathetic article from the Guardian

you are making progress, it's fantastic

I've donated a small amount of my hard earned via the www.forwomen.scot website to help with the extra security costs incurred

Article in today's Guardian!
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/feb/01/activists-in-scotland-disagree-about-transgender-legislation

As Sonic explained above we had to quadruple our security cover at the last minute in order for the event to go ahead. Seems the right of free assembly doesn't come cheap!

There's a Paypal Donate button on our website and we're grateful for any donations - and there's the next meeting to plan for too. What do we think, Glasgow or Dundee?

Wonderful meeting! So so good to see everyone and talk afterwards.

Also noticeable how much more comfortable women are getting in speaking out. So many women standing up in the Q&A and saying "my name is X, I work for Y, we are doing Z, you can help us by doing A, B, C". That is a big change from a year ago where everyone was terrified of being outed. So inspiring, and great for those of us who want to do something but don't know what to do to help most.

Since extra security had to be hired after the harassment to the hotel yesterday, if ForWomen are setting up a crowdfunder for the extra costs of the event can you please share it on here too (I've been Balldemort banned on twitter).

I agree entirely Lifeinthelastlane- if they would have actually listened then they might at least have seen that there was no hate at all.

Also they did their utmost to get the venue to cancel. Speaker quite rightly saying protesting is a right we would want to uphold, but I’m not sure trying to ensure we were unable to meet is in the spirit of that.

The protesters are on twitter talking about stopping hate, transphobia and bigotry. I must have missed that tonight.. I’d really love to bring some of them in just to listen with an open mind to what actually happens.
The age differential was very noticeable tonight - definitely more mature women seem to see the pitfalls more easily. I’ve heard people say they came to feminism as they grew older and the impact of sexism became more apparent to them. Let’s hope we’ve not thrown away your legal protections before these young women have the chance to reflect on their stance.

It was a brilliant meeting. I've just got home - stayed for a bevvy or several with some fabulous women in the bar afterwards. I'm so grateful to the organisers not just for getting it all together which has obviously been a huge job, but for working with the hotel all afternoon - can't imagine how stressful that must have been. Thank you!

I spent about half an hour before the start talking with the protestors. They were very pleasant and very, very young, just kids really.

Glad this went well, thank you for tweeting throughout for those of us who couldn't be there.

Very proud of my countrywomen

Awesome meeting with some excellent speakers, and some great women to chat to afterwards too

Just left meeting. All was well. Really good speakers.

So pleased it is going ahead peacefully and very disappointed not to have been able to make it.

Meeting is successfully underway!

Small and peaceful protest. The Apex Hotel have been brilliant.

There is live tweeting from @ForwomenScot (and others). Thanks to the many, many wonderful attendees who have completely filled this room to capacity.

It’s #standingforwomen

And

#forwomen

Good luck with this and please update

Who will be live Tweeting? Is there a hashtag?

Anyone gone in? Just parking now

If only this were all actually about rights, and not about power.

Colonisers dont recognise that the colonised have rights, other than to submit.

I've got stuck in work and won't be able to make it. I'm so disappointed. I'm with you all in spirit (even if my body is wading through contracts ).

glad the hotel are being cooperative ForwomenScot

women will meet, we will talk, and we will protect our rights

I'm very sorry to hear that the venue is being harassed, but very glad that you've got good liaison with them and that the meeting will go ahead.

Have a great time, everyone - I'm looking forward to the Twitter updates.

Also lovely to see that ReSisters have received many inquiries following the statue action.

Thanks, ForWomen. All so predictable!

Must. Not. Let. The. Women. Talk.

We've just posted this to the Eventbrite page:

Update 16:20, 31st January:

Just an update that due to the harassment experienced by the Apex Hotel this afternoon the security has been increased for the meeting this evening. Please allow extra time upon arrival for security checks including ID and bag checks.

Please remember to also bring your ticket.

Thanks for your understanding.

We will be going ahead with the meeting.
#WomenStandUp