A Woman's Place meeting Oxford 25 Oct

This is WPUK's response to statment from Oxford Trans.

I don't know how they find the energy to deal with all this deliberate misrepresentation. But good on them for pulling it apart.

Misogyny in Action; a rebuttal of the statment by Trans Action Oxford womansplaceuk.org/2019/10/24/misogyny-in-action-a-rebuttal-of-statement-by-trans-action-oxford/

I won't be at the meeting, but I'll be thinking of all those who are. Thanks from me for attending, and good luck.

Watching Inspector Morse tonight to get the layout of the land

One would hope so, MrsSnippyPants.

Perhaps it has dawned on these protesters that Brighton was NOT a good look for their 'most oppressed' narrative.

Oh that's great. It would be brilliant to be able to report back that we were able to have a good meeting and talk without feeling scared. And clearly the protesters feel that less publicity for the meeting is a good thing, which is fine too. It all helps to drop the emotional temperature and encourage rational decision making.

Can I recommend anyone arriving by train arrange to meet up with others. It’s a bit of a walk down into town from the station, and if it’s up towards Jericho, which I suspect it might be, it’s further still.

So they aren’t intending to protest at the venue, wherever that is? I’ll believe it when I see it. I’ll be going all cammed up either way.

If they’re having a seperate protest then Bonne Square, opposite the entrance to Westgate would be my best guess at the location. If it is then it should be well away from wherever the venue is, as I can’t think of anywhere it might be around that area. I bet they can’t resist though.

I just looked at the going list for the protest. I can’t see anyone because it only shows friends who are going, and all the people I know who would be going have long since blocked me. I bet I will know some of them though. There’s a few unpleasant characters who are bound to be causing trouble.

A spokesperson for Trans Action Oxford, who asked not to be named, added: “As a collective, Trans Action Oxford has made the decision not to directly protest the WPUK meeting.
“We do not wish to fan the flames of the narrative of false victimhood which is so often spread by groups like WPUK.
"None of our actions aim to prevent them from speaking, or stop their event from taking place.
“Instead, we have chosen to organise a demonstration of solidarity in order to give trans people a voice in discussions of their own rights, and to send out a strong message that harmful and discriminatory views such as those held by their speakers have no place in our city.”

www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/17984125.demonstration-oxford-support-transgender-people/

The usual transperbole: docs.google.com/document/d/1d4U5prqgrw7010u0iCY0W8S90iFBCSXrKVl-9NBTeVE/mobilebasic

Wise words from RadFem Don't forget all our virtual numbers either - we're here cheering you on I try to look out on meeting nights and send good feminist vibes. It's always good to read reports, and I'm always impressed by the wonderful women who can listen and tweet simultaneously - it's almost like being there in real life.

According to the FB page the plan is for a simultaneous event rather than a protest. I hope that's right.

I went in alone at Brighton - I left in a big group of women and a few men heading to the station! Felt safe to be one of lots of strangers. Imagine protestors had a similar feeling.

Be careful about planning a meeting spot or an identifiable 'badge' - anyone could be reading a thread here and share information.

The protestors had booked tickets then awaited the email with venue details. They'd all gathered for a demo in town first so as soon as one got the email they started marching up to the venue. We heard them in the distance way before they got to the place. That distant yelling getting louder was very frightening .

The kicking & punching windows showed they may be escalating.

Please take care and be vigilant.

I'm also going on my own and would appreciate a meet-up.

I am sure there will be meet ups before!

I'm going on my own, If anyone wants to meet up beforehand.

Just a reminder, that under UK law

Women have a right to self-organise, to speak and to be heard free from fear of abuse, threat or vilification in public discourse and in academia. This should be actively facilitated by those with civic or legal responsibility for promoting equality.

Civil or legal responsibility means the police must uphold and protect or right to organise.

@crsacre Thank you for this information. I will pass it on to the police.

"Groups like WPUK are directly responsible for the rise of anti-transgender hate and violence that we have seen in the last few years."

Prove it.

www.facebook.com/events/2289740701138240/

I'm hoping that if people feel they need to protest as is their right, that it will be calm. I'm bit nervous, stupidly. And, yes, a bit concerned that people genuinely feel threatened by these meetings. I don't really see why.

Bearing in mind the way Thames Valley Police have behaved regarding stickergate, I would not be in the least bit surprised if any policing at the WPUK event once again wilfully ignores abuse, harassment and threats aimed at attendees.

The police have entirely lost the confidence of women. They have broken their own codes of conduct, ignored guidelines, and breached restrictions designed to ensure impartiality in their duty to uphold the law.

If we are met by an angry mob, remember that they were not invited, not given the location, and have therefore deliberately targeted the event in a co-ordinated and organised manner. Anyone in that mob is NOT a victim of so-called hatecrime. They have come to the location looking to make trouble and to stir up hatred against women who are gathering, AS IS OUR RIGHT, to discuss women's rights.

The police must therefore view the WOMEN attending the meeting as the ones who are vulnerable and at risk.

For any woman who is targeted by uninvited, intimidating protestors, THIS is how the police MUST react:

8.4.4 Suspect considerations
If the suspect is identifiable and can be located, and a power of arrest exists, an arrest should be effected at the earliest practical opportunity.
Positive action is preferable but the decision to arrest is always a matter for the officer, and should be based on the evidence available at the time. It should not be based on whether the victim wishes to proceed with a prosecution or not. The officer will, however, have to justify to their immediate supervisors why, if the opportunity existed, an arrest was not made at the time.

8.7.1 Code of Practice for Victims of Crime
The Code of Practice for Victims of Crime defines a victim of hate crime as an intimidated victim. It places an obligation on the police service to identify all vulnerable and intimidated victims and to provide them with the enhanced level of service to which they are entitled during an investigation.

I will be keeping a very close eye on proceedings and if I see any officer in dereliction of their duties I shall not hesitate to lodge a formal complaint with Thames Valley Police, and to pursue that complaint as far as the judiciary if needs be.

I would urge us all to do the same.