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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Mumsnet demo TOMORROW

229 replies

edam · 09/08/2006 11:13

Who is up for a protest outside Random House/Vermillion (who publish that book) TOMORROW? It will be in London. Possibly wearing gags (silenced by xxx).

Please add your name here and I'll CAT you.

OP posts:
JessaFreedomFighter · 09/08/2006 11:15

Can't make it sorry (working, and live in Plymouth) but will be with you all in spirit!

Gobblunarcharsky · 09/08/2006 11:15

Ahhhh, that's not fair - we're at a MN meet up in The Lakes!

We'll be there in spirit and hope to see you on teh evening news

CaligulaCorday · 09/08/2006 11:15

Oh damn, would love to come, but mad Aunt and Uncle are coming and cannot be put off (it is Visiting Thursday)

wannaBe1974 · 09/08/2006 11:31

sorry but I don't think it's a good idea.

X has claimed in her statements that she has been the subject of a campagne against her and this is why it has come to this, if we go demonstrating outside the offices of her publishers we will add weight to that argument and imo it could have a more detremental effect on the future of mn. Plus in order to make a strong point you need a lot of demonstraters, a few hundred at least, a few or 10's of demonstraters are not viewed seriously esp by the media.

wannaBe1974 · 09/08/2006 11:32

the idea of a campaign is a good one, but we need to campaign for the wider issue i.e. the freedom of speech as a whole issue rather than just focussing on one incident.

jessicaandrebeccasmummy · 09/08/2006 11:37

We must remember the issue isnt against her methods - by holding a demo outside her PUBLISHERS it states we are against her methods full stop.

This demo needs to be at parliament to get the law changed to ensure NOTHING like this happens again.

Original poster
edam · 09/08/2006 11:37

wannabe, are you setting up the Yahoo group? Can you put a notice there? Take your point about numbers - that's why I've started the thread. I can't answer your other point about good or bad idea here - CAT me!

OP posts:
NeverSayNever · 09/08/2006 11:37

I agree with WannaBe, think we should now concentrate on pushing the wider problem of free speech on the internet so that this doesn't arise in here or any other forum/chatroom ever again. I understand why you want to demonstrate, but agree would probably do more harm then good.

Original poster
edam · 09/08/2006 11:38

No, it isn't against the methods, it's about the freedom of speech issue, but to get the message across this is the right location, honest.

OP posts:
babyonboard · 09/08/2006 11:40

Yes true, we should not do anything that could harm mumsnets defence.

jessicaandrebeccasmummy · 09/08/2006 11:41

edam, can i cat you please

NeverSayNever · 09/08/2006 11:43

I would agree to attend a demo about the wider issues all this has generated, but should we not take our time plan carefully and enlist support from as many people as possible to gain the media attention this cause deserves?

jessicaandrebeccasmummy · 09/08/2006 11:43

edam, have cat'd you anyway!!! LOL

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 09/08/2006 11:44

don't believe it would harm any defense

babyonboard · 09/08/2006 11:45

plus...surely vauxhall bridge is no place for mothers with tots/babies on school holidays to spend the day!? whatever the cause!

wannaBe1974 · 09/08/2006 11:45

what I would propose is:

The petition that was set up yesterday campaigning for freedom of speechh over the internet is set to run until the 1st of January. I've given it this long a time scale to ensure maximum numbers of signatures, and to also ensure that the wider issue is being addressed and that we are not just seen to be a group of histerical women campaigning for the freedom to express opinions about one individual who has threatened our website.

On the 1st of January I will close the petition and download it from the database so that I have a hard copy. What I would suggest then is that we arrange a group of mn'ers and any other like-minded individuals to deliver the petition to parliament on the day it re-opens after the Christmas break. This gives us a signifficant amount of time for people to arrange to be there, and also for us to advertise what we're doing on other websites and gain support from other people (not just MN'ers) who feel strongly about this and would like to contribute.there, and

Cappucino · 09/08/2006 11:48

so far all the press coverage has been Justine etc being very eloquent and professional; mumsnet looks intelligent and legally articulate

newspaper pictures of women standing with gags on is just going to make us look like mad loons

wrong thing. sorry

foxinsocks · 09/08/2006 11:50

where is the petition

fairyjay · 09/08/2006 11:50

wannabee
I think you've done a great job in getting all of this up and running - my only concern is that January is an awfully long time away. In reality, if people are going to sign, would not giving say one month be long enough? That way, hopefully, we won't lose momentum.
Just a thought

Cappucino · 09/08/2006 11:53

a petition can be handed in earlier I agree

but equally there's utterly nothing wrong with us lobbying our own mps etc to keep up momentum

which we all should

wannaBe1974 · 09/08/2006 11:54

when does parliament re-open?

foxinsocks · 09/08/2006 11:55

oct/nov

is the petition online?

wannaBe1974 · 09/08/2006 11:56

Originally I set the petition date as the 1st of January in order to gather as many signatures as possible. The more signatures, the more seriousl we'll be taken. But nothing has to be set in stone and obviously it's something we can debate - we just can't go between the 8th and the 21st of September as I'll be on holiday! lol.

Cappucino · 09/08/2006 11:56

might this be nearer?

'The State Opening of Parliament for the 2006-07 Session will take place on Wednesday 15 November 2006.'

babyonboard · 09/08/2006 11:57

I have written to my m.p ..and she is fab.even though she's labour..she's fab..
I trust her as she helped me with some , relatively minor, issues a couple of months ago...