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

137 replies

CharlieParley · 12/01/2019 21:54

On Thursday 31 January, For Women Scotland are holding their first public meeting in Edinburgh.

There'll be information on and discussion of the current situation in Scottish schools, councils, hospitals, prisons and any other areas affected by the ongoing erosion of women's rights and the undermining of safeguarding.

There's been a lot of interest and quite a few of the tickets are gone already, in just 24 hours. If any of you wish to go, you can book your ticket here. (The price covers the costs of the group as no-one funds us but us.)

As always, the venue will be announced on the day.

When I went to my first women's rights meeting (WPUK) on Valentine's Day last year, I was a little unsure and worried about going. Some wonderful women reached out to me here on Mumsnet and helped me feel welcome and reassured, so now it's my turn:

Feel free to DM me if you are worried about going on your own, I'm happy to chat any time and also willing to meet you beforehand.

Hope to see you there!

OP posts:
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8
FloralCup · 31/01/2019 13:12

The protest group called Sisters Uncut - are they transwomen who haven't had the op? Ie what does the 'uncut' bit mean?

GrinitchSpinach · 31/01/2019 13:18

Best of luck to you brave women in Edinburgh today! Hope all goes smoothly.

SuffragettesStruggledForThis · 31/01/2019 13:22

I'm sure all the non-attendees who just happen to be there will be thrilled to have one more group pushing leaflets at them. It's already fun running the gauntlet in city centre.

I do love the outrage at having been filmed! We're all being filmed every day by the omnipresent CCTV, so it's not like it's anything new. I agree with the sentiment about wishing for more privacy in general, but it doesn't strike me as though they really believe in that as a general right.

PositivelyPERF · 31/01/2019 13:39

I’m so envious of all the courageous women attending and hope you have a brilliant day.

Robbabank · 31/01/2019 13:47

Just wanted to say I’ll be attending and won’t be put off by any protestors. Their aim is to intimidate people into having second thoughts and not joining the meeting, so if you have a determined business as usual approach, you’ll be able to move past them no problem. At last year’s WPUK event they were very loud and made lots of noise and liked to use their banners to appear as if they were blocking access, but if you just carry on as if you fully expect them to move aside for you - they do. So make like you are late to collect your kids or granny from inside the building, make brief eye contact and wear a smile as you go in. Same on exiting. Ignore them and just carry on. Will see you all there.

Lifeinthelastlane · 31/01/2019 14:09

If I just read those twitter posts I’d think it was an awful thing too. Fortunately we all have the right to question the GRA, to believe women are adult human females, and to have opinions on the census data. There is nothing in there that is about hate.

RosaFreedman1983 · 31/01/2019 15:02

Peaceful protest is a legitimate and needed part of democracy. I welcome the opportunity to talk to protestors, to listen to their concerns and points of view, and to engage with them. Perhaps some dialogues between attendees and protestors this evening would go some way towards bringing people together to find constructive solutions? Just a thought. I plan to get there sufficiently early to do just that. See you soon, mumsnetters! (Also how glorious is this sunshine, and how beautiful is this country?! Loving staring out of the train window!)

WokeNotBloke · 31/01/2019 15:08

Rosa there Facebook event says they are planning to handle us leaflets in silence as trans is not up for debate.

PS recommend nicotine inhalers, please don’t lose your head 😉

PositivelyPERF · 31/01/2019 15:11

I love your optimism RosaFreedman1983, but I’m afraid you’re in for a disappointment.

RosaFreedman1983 · 31/01/2019 15:17

I'm an eternal optimist -- we lawyers are idealists by nature and training! If they don't want to talk to me that will be their choice, but I will offer the opportunity because everyone has an opinion and it is only by engaging with one another that we can move the discussions forward in a constructive way. I spend a lot of time at the UN with diplomats from across the world. and also a lot of time negotiating with 9yr olds, both of which lays firm foundations for talking to protestors!!!

(10mins and counting until a cigarette....)

WokeNotBloke · 31/01/2019 16:03

Unfortunately I think they are more interested in talking at you, than with you. ☹️ If they aren’t prepared to debate, all that’s left is to dictate.

I think they are also intimidating your audience. I’m almost 50 and have been a feminist all my adult life, and I’ve never felt so unsafe attending a meeting. Presumably they are focused on no debate, and if they can’t shut up the speakers, at least let there be no audience 😡

However, I admire you optimistism 😊. God loves a trier 😘

FactsAreNotMean · 31/01/2019 16:13

Another who will be there tonight. Let them protest - as long as they don't prevent us meeting or cause problems then it's a legitimate part of democracy.

Of course, whether they're capable of being silent and not causing problems is a different question entirely.

ForwomenScot · 31/01/2019 16:28

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

SonicVersusGynaephobia · 31/01/2019 16:54

Thanks, ForWomen. All so predictable!

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

concretesieve · 31/01/2019 17:00

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.

BernardBlacksWineIcelolly · 31/01/2019 17:11

glad the hotel are being cooperative ForwomenScot

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

JessicaJonesJacket · 31/01/2019 17:14

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 Sad ).

AnneHutchinson · 31/01/2019 17:21

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

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

Lifeinthelastlane · 31/01/2019 18:25

Anyone gone in? Just parking now

HawayMan · 31/01/2019 19:19

Who will be live Tweeting? Is there a hashtag?

Theswaggyotter · 31/01/2019 19:22

Good luck with this and please update

WH1SPERS · 31/01/2019 19:35

It’s #standingforwomen

And

#forwomen

ForwomenScot · 31/01/2019 19:43

Meeting is successfully underway! Smile

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.

LatinforTelly · 31/01/2019 20:16

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

Olgatheoptimist · 31/01/2019 21:30

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