Speakers' Corner - Edinburgh 2nd Aug @ 2pm

[NonnyMouse1337]

forwomen.scot/23/07/2020/speakers-corner/

Sick and tired of being banned from social media and cancelled for telling the truth, women are taking back the public square, one corner at a time.

At 2pm on Sunday 2nd August, women will gather at the foot of the Mound/Princes St in Edinburgh, reviving the tradition of free speech at the site of the historical Speakers’ Corner.

In the current climate of cancel culture, there is a new urgency to demonstrate the right to free speech. Women will describe how they have been harassed, threatened, silenced and fired for daring to define themselves.

Social distancing will be strictly observed and guest speakers will also be live streamed on For Women Scotland YouTube for those who prefer to stay at home.

After the live stream ends, all women are invited to speak for approximately 2 minutes.

Why didn't they keep the sound from Edinburgh? I understand they mightn't want filming, but women are shut down everywhere else.

There were hecklers watching online who would no doubt try to identify people.

Great to see all the women speaking. Thank you.

I see. I wonder if there is the possibility of a transcript (non identifying) of the rest of discussion? Just to have it out there.

Well done everyone. Just listened to that - brilliant.

Gillian Philip was good - they sacked the wrong one there

@Melroses

Gillian Philip was good - they sacked the wrong one there

I loved how passionate she was. Walking around while talking and using her hands to express herself. I do that too! I bought Bad Faith when she was first sacked and really enjoyed it. I need to look at her other books to download.

I watched on FB - missed the first couple of speeches, but what I saw was great!

Didn't seem to be any gender extremists there either?

@ItsAllGoingToBeFine

I watched on FB - missed the first couple of speeches, but what I saw was great!

Didn't seem to be any gender extremists there either?

I noticed that too. No heckling. Is this another sign that the tide is turning? I really hope so.

Nobody was attacked and there was no mob shouting at the women participating, no smoke bombs, death threats or organised campaigns.

It's depressing that this counts as a win in 2020, tbh.

But I hope women are feeling safer and more empowered to speak up, and yes, I hope the tide is turning.

I’m on the train home now. Was lovely to meet you @terryleather 😊

Hi - on train home now. Was a great event, thank you to everyone who was involved in organising. See you all next time!

@Sexnotgender

I’m on the train home now. Was lovely to meet you *@terryleather* 😊

Awww lovely to meet you too Sexnotgender and we had matching t-shirts too!

I kept looking around and wondering who the other mumsnetters were...anyway it was a fabulous day, with some excellent speakers and no disruptions or hecklers at all. Am so glad I went.

Very interesting event. Specially impressed by the woman talking about autistic children. Well done everyone

fabulous event! it was lovely talking to people later on the grass on East Princes St Gardens. Lots of solidarity but also good wide ranging political discussions from differeing points of view WITH NO ANIMOSITY ! I'm afraid that my stickering plans for Bodyshop were abandoned as I ran out of time chatting was more fun. TRAs mums seem be having them in lockdown in the bedrooms. So it was without major incident apart from a rather friendly squirrel who many stoutly maintained was GC anyway.

I got to meet NonnyMouse which was lovely. I also pretty much flung myself (in a totally socially distanced way!) onto Gillian Philip to thank her for her tweets. She is also lovely.

Gillian was absolutely lovely.

Gillian keeps appearing on my twitter timeline and seemed to be really getting it - so it was marvelous to see her speaking (if only online ). Campaigning to get people is so silly - it just gives them the strength to take it further.

She does seem to really know her stuff, so I hope this change will work out better for her in the end anyway

correction: to get people sacked is so silly...........

@rogdmum

I got to meet NonnyMouse which was lovely. I also pretty much flung myself (in a totally socially distanced way!) onto Gillian Philip to thank her for her tweets. She is also lovely.

It was fab to have met you too, rogdmum.

I totally did not expect Gillian Philip to turn up. I agree Melroses that the mob getting someone sacked only ends up strengthening their resolve. It was obvious that Gillian has no more fucks left to give. Great to have her on our side.

Was there a good crowd there? You could only see the speakers area online. It is wonderful to do this. Inspired really. As are the other actions.

I'd guess maybe 100-150 folk? Terrible at estimating that kind of thing though. Some wee pics of those who went to Princess St Gardens after wards on Twitter.

I counted about 50 before we started but I think people joined as the meeting went on

A friend of mine shared a clip on Facebook :)

Great event: congratulations to all who spoke and all who cheered them on.