Standing for Women Glasgow 5th Feb

I've started a new thread about an SNP minister who is encouraging people to wear masks and join counter protestors.

Not to create an extra level of worry, but to make public her behaviour and hope that someone reports her, assuming the SNP has some sort of ethics standards. www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/4733768-snp-encouraging-protestors-to-wear-masks-to-evade-being-identified-and-disrupts-sfw-event-in-glasgow

I so wish I could be there to witness the battle of the McFurries v the McMerkins!

BlueBooh that's amazing!

4 of us are driving up for the day from the southwest of England. 16 hour round driving trip.

I think attendance will be HUGE!

I think the approach is going to be to drown out with noise and Furry growls and barks. I would also love to hear a Police Scotland response if you are braver than me and send an email Worthy. I keep referring to the counter protest as a 'carnival' when it's actually supposed to be a cabaret. I'm imagining lots of men in fishnets (which up until these strange days I'd personally not got anything against)

If they sing anything catchy, I might join in. Let them sing a bit. Let us speak a bit. Democracy in action. I might even bring a feather boa. Glasgow knows how to party.

I'm happy to email the police just to read their response, as it would no doubt be telling. I do so hope we have a good turn out. I'm a little worried I may be suspected as a TRA infiltrator due to my hair, although it's pink atm not blue (clearly failing at resisting gender stereotyping there). So if anyone sees a woman in a AHF T shirt with a head half shaved and half pink hair, I am genuinely a GC feminist and not undercover

We could have made some badges with this picture, as the equivalent of a MN secret handshake

I love this

Logistics not working for me either, I'd love to go, I think it's going to be amazing.

The image of a giant squirrel playing a flute and giant rabbit's muffled rendition of "the sash my father wore" with a blue wolf banging a drum is, well, I'm not going to sleep now, am I.

George Sq is busy as fuck. If they want to make an arse of themselves in their daft animal costumes or banging their stupid drums (a favoured tactic of another flag-waving hate group not unfamiliar to Glasgow), let them. Let them show who they are to ordinary Glaswegians going about their day, who are very clued-up on recent developments thanks to the prison shenanigans finally being front page news for a whole fucking week.

I think this could be a very important day indeed.

I'm pissed off because the 'Carnival' counter protest - including Furries - are now advertising their counter protest as being 'near George Square'. I thought the initial plan was that it would be on Glasgow Green.

Their obvious intention is to 'drown out' women's voices by making as much noise as they can, next to the Standing for Women gathering. Women of Glasgow and beyond deserve a chance to gather, listen and have our say individually in a supportive atmosphere. Why should they wish to deprive us of that?

I thought about contacting Police Scotland to say, "I'm planning on attending this event, can you assure me that you will do all you can to keep women safe and let our voices be heard? Will you endeavour to keep the Furries and Pro-GRR Bill protesters far enough away so that they don't drown us out or physically intimidate us?'

I thought about contacting them by their email form but I'm actually reluctant to give my full name and address to them for obvious reasons. I'm nothing to do with KJK so don't want to do this through her - although I'm sure she'll be asking for a similar reassurances. Is anyone else thinking of approaching the police? Is there a way to ask anonymously? It's ridiculous that I should even be worrying about this and a definite symptom of the intimidation most women feel in speaking up about this issue.

I won't agree with everyone who is there or who chooses to speak but I defend their right to be there and speak if they feel so inclined. I attended the Pro-GRR Bill rally outside Buchanan Galleries and felt safe. I want to feel the same at this gathering.

The best tactic I guess will be safety in numbers. If we get a spectacular turn out of women that will be the best result for democracy. I hope many, many women who live in Scotland come along. And obviously support other women who are travelling to Glasgow from outside Scotland in a show of solidarity.

I've put my glasses on now and off to bump the Petitions thread for any other insomniacs!

I really should put my glasses on when trying to NC on my phone screen in the dark

I'm going too! Also (hopefully) going to the TUC rally/demo in Manchester on Wednesday so it's a busy week, if I can manage it all!

I am staying the sat night before, if anyone is worried about getting there alone, drop me a dm and I will meet you in a public place on the Sunday morning and walk with you.

Don't be you'll find women very happy to talk. Sadly I'm unlikely to be there due to health issues.

I'm planning on attending but will be on my own.
Bit nervous about that

And the weather forecast is dreadful. Furries cousld drown in polyester suits. No one wands that

To those worried about counter protests there may well not be as some of the brighter TRAs are working out that they don't actually help. Courage!

I’m second on call but thinking I’ll come through once finished I could get there for about 2om when I think it’s finishing . Which means pub. Yay

I am thinking about going to this. Also a bit nervous, but glad to hear reassurance from those who have been before.

I'll be there, am really looking forward to it.

It’s a bit far for me, but I know someone who went to the Brighton one and it was all okay… But look at the feeling in Scotland on these maps. Since you women won’t wheesht I’m sure all the women itching to take the mic will outnumber the furries!

Oops 😂

As they are in Scotland are they mcflurries?