Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be shocked that this is happening in Britain in 2018?

542 replies

Spending2muchtimeonMN · 22/04/2018 00:38

Masked men try to prevent women from attending a lawful, public meeting to discuss the impact of proposed changes to the law on women's rights:

www.facebook.com/julie.bindel/videos/pcb.10160135970780316/10160135907955316

OP posts:
summerinthecountry · 22/04/2018 09:19

I think the police have some serious explaining to do. I for one will be making enquiries as to why this situation was allowed to evolve.

ReluctantCamper · 22/04/2018 09:21

These are social justice warriors rubyroot. Their cause du jour is a very odd version of 'trans rights'. I suspect many transsexuals would not recognise or support many of these 'rights'.

the individuals in the video seem, all bar 1, to be male. Whether they also identify as male is not something I feel qualified to comment on.

Effeminate is neither here nor there and could be construed as insulting so let's not bandy that word about eh?

Mightymucks · 22/04/2018 09:21

the very people complaining about these protesters would probably support the ( sometimes violent ) protests around UKIP or other ( completely lawful ) political parties they didn’t agree with.

I disagree with both. And if this makes some left wing activists realise the chilling effect that the left wing has had on freedom of speech over the last 20 years that can only be a good thing IMO.

CigarsofthePharoahs · 22/04/2018 09:22

This is abhorrent. I despise anyone who tries to bar free speech.
What are they so afraid of? A group of women meeting to talk. It isn't that group of women who've been threatening doxxing, keeping block lists on twitter and more.

YetAnotherSpartacus · 22/04/2018 09:22

Does anyone have any screenshots of Tara Wood riling these men up? (Was referred to earlier).

And of course it is shocking.

TerfsUp · 22/04/2018 09:23

Shocking.

Beachcomber · 22/04/2018 09:24

I enjoy my anonymity here. I suspect you do too. I've asked why these protesters keeping thiers is bad but you've completely ignored it.

Can you really not work out for yourself the difference between posting under a username on a parenting forum and masking one's face when obstructing others from going about their peaceful business in a public place??

I don't believe you cannot tell the difference. I think you know fine well what the difference is but you want to minimize male intimidation of women for some reason...

summerinthecountry · 22/04/2018 09:24

ruby

I don't think anyone cares or has commented about them being effeminate! Who cares whether they are or not.

What we are focused on is a group masked men involved in illegal activity of harassing and intimidating an innocent lady whom was simply going to a meeting.

It starts and ends there, and I for one will be pushing for a full police investigation as to why there were no arrests.

Elendon · 22/04/2018 09:25

When I was 14 and attending a youth disco masked men entered, one was armed. All were intimidating. They told us that there was to be no petting around the back of the hall, no drinking and no smoking - I didn't see any evidence that this was going on. I was terrified. It was the last time I attended the disco as it was closed down after.

These people are no different and it would probably have triggered me had I attended the event that night. They are not protesting peacefully, they fully intend to intimidate.

grandplans · 22/04/2018 09:25

Does anyone have any screenshots of Tara Wood riling these men up?

Yes there is a screenshot doing the rounds on twitter. Not sure how to find it again, if I do I'll post it here.

ReluctantCamper · 22/04/2018 09:32

Christ Elendon, not in the UK I presume?

Bourdic · 22/04/2018 09:37

I’m contacting the Police and Crime Commissioner for the area - here’s the link
www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/contact-us/contact-the-police-and-crime-commissioner/

Elendon · 22/04/2018 09:37

ReluctantCamper It was Northern Ireland, so yes part of the UK of GB and NI.

I believe they were IRA members, but similar things did happen in protestant areas and this was a mixed disco, mixed sex and religions.

So these people who attended the meeting to 'protest' fully understand what they are doing. It is terrorism.

grandplans · 22/04/2018 09:37

@YetAnotherSpartacus

Here's a direct link to Tara's post on the event page for the TRA protest.

m.facebook.com/events/232888940784616?view=permalink&id=236506940422816

The event and Tara's comment, were on Thursday.

You'll see that many feminists found it and commented to object on the Friday!

ReluctantCamper · 22/04/2018 09:39

bloody hell Elendon. Every day is a school day on Mumsnet.

Flowers for the 14 year old you and Wine for you now.

sentMai · 22/04/2018 09:40

@grandplans

"The academic clearly stated in her talk that she was fearful for her safety."

I bet she did. And politicians (especially those on tour) are well known to be honest, aren't they Hmm

@ReluctantCamper

"I think you're saying that if I find my way barred by a 6 foot tall thick set individual in a mask I should enquire about their preferred pronouns before asking them to get out of my way."

No, but that isn't what happened here. I haven't once said that there protesters were right or that they weren't intimidating but anyone who suggests they (this group in particular) were 6', broad, violent terrorists is clearly not worth speaking to.

I'm loud and tall, compete in jiu-jitsu and have SIA certificates but completely understand why this was intimidating for anyone, no matter what their sex or size. Again, I've said nothing to the contrary.

I side with moderate TRAs and am against any kind of extreme or exclusive ideology.

I wouldn't have bothered commenting on this thread if it had said 'group of masked protesters blocked the way ahead of a controversial talk by political spokeswoman Dr whateverhernameis.

When the situation is portrayed as 'violent male terrorists surround and assault group ahead of intellectual discussion' then I feel compelled to call out bullshit.

"If I assume they are male it would be legitimate for them to call me a cunt."

Yes, because it's only a word. Antagonistic, of course, but only a word. I said that I could see why misgendering could make someone angry and I can see why shouting "cunt" at you would make you angry. If you knocked someone's phone out of their hand whilst they insulted you, I would think it ridiculous to say you assaulted them. I don't think words are violence, but I can see why they could lead to it or another reactionary , um, reaction.

"[anonymity online] is a bit different to using anonymity to intimidate people looking to attend a peaceful and legal meeting."

I don't. The anonymity I was talking about is discussed on the feminism board where some prominent and self-declared TERFs had their IPs made public by an ex-MN staffer.

"And I have no problem at all with dissenting voices, hate being in an echo chamber and am very much enjoying talking to you"

Assuming you aren't being sarcastic, thanks.

I do sometimes wonder if I live in an echo-chamber. No one I know really cares about self-ID. Most know but still don't care. I have been made to reconsider my opinions but have stuck with them.

I wish the feminism boards were less angry and exclusive and radical. There is no point in join in any "discussion" as anyone who disagrees is called a man, TRA, an invasion etc. It's just a load of shouting until you fuck off.

YetAnotherSpartacus · 22/04/2018 09:42

Thanks, grandplans - not being a FB user I can't log in though. But It's great to know that others have seen, commented and hopefully saved for all posterity and potential court cases.

MsMcWoodle · 22/04/2018 09:46

sentMai - you are trying to excuse the inexcusable.
You're using an awful lot of words in the attempt but it still isn't working.
Not our fault that it isn't working.

Elendon · 22/04/2018 09:48

anyone who suggests they (this group in particular) were 6', broad, violent terrorists is clearly not worth speaking to.

Presumably you are including me in that sentMai ?

Even watching that video sent me off somewhat. I would have been terrified if I was there.

exLtEveDallas · 22/04/2018 09:48

@YetAnotherSpartacus

A screen shot from grandplans FB link.

To be shocked that this is happening in Britain in 2018?
YetAnotherSpartacus · 22/04/2018 09:53

Thank you exLteve!

Oh of course - ding, ding, ding! tara is advising them to cover their faces in case they were filmed, so there would be compromised evidence at a trial.

I watched part of the video and could not tell the sex of all the protestors, but certainly, those doing the talking looked and sounded male.

Mightymucks · 22/04/2018 09:53

I don't. The anonymity I was talking about is discussed on the feminism board where some prominent and self-declared TERFs had their IPs made public by an ex-MN staffer.

What the actual fucking fuck?

Juells · 22/04/2018 09:55

Wow @sentMai I can't believe that you think it's acceptable for a bunch of masked blokes to block women in on a narrow stairs. They seem sub-normal, TBH, demanding proof that she's Press.

Ah, the penny just dropped. That's in case any woman would dare to ask to see ID in a ladies loo.

rubyroot · 22/04/2018 09:57

I think it is relevant as a group of prepuscent effeminate 'men' are surely far less threatening than a group of very masculine strong men. I certainly would feel less threatened/frightened in one situation than the other.

Effeminate? I am not politically correct, I don't mince my words, I am truthful and honest. '(of a man) having or showing characteristics regarded as typical of a woman; unmanly.' I believe I am using the correct definition here. Many of these 'men' are effeminate and I used the word to question if they were trans right activists which believe us relevant, if these were great big strapping males they would be less likely to be trans right activists.