I was at this event. My 1st time in Leeds so I was early and took time to find it. Victoria square in in two halves. A photographer was sitting waiting on the steps. He asked me if I was Kellie-Jay. A woman was sitting quietly on the steps a little way from him. She told me it was her first time coming to anything like this and she was a "newbie". We were quickly joined by 2 more ladies, one of whom was the first to be handcuffed. She was lovely, smiling, pretty, pleasant and intelligent. As we waited we could see the other half of the square and Posie and a handful of women appeared walking. Posie was easy to spot in her vibrant red coat. As we stood up and started walking to join her a very large police van (size of a mini bus) roared up and parked up on the road dividing us.
"Oh, they must be expecting trouble" I said. As we walked past this van, two policemen walked from the other side of the square and another smaller police van arrived and parked on the main road, so effectively the women were trapped with police on 3 sides and the large building on the 4th. There were a group of counter protesters quietly sitting and standing at the far end of the square. There were more of them than us.
Mr grey top, plain police cop, Kenyon, I think was managing the situation. Posie was approached before she'd even stopped walking. Women began to gather around, although we were all social distancing at this point. Police told us to disperse. I was stood by Posie. Officer said this did not fall under a political group, they had studied it and we didn't meet the criteria. He said the organiser agreed at which point Posie said she was the organiser and Claire came over on her scooter. Both said they were organisers and had followed all guidance and this was a political meeting. Officer then said there's more than 30. Posie asked if he's counted us. He said no, so she did, 16 women at this point. He then said rule of six, so we quickly split up into small groups. Kenyon got aggressive, he had bulging brown eyes and loomed over us all. He signalled for the officers, (who seemed to outnumber us) to divide us up and drive us away. They wouldn't let us stand on the square, even as well distanced individuals, as they said "you're all here for the same thing". He asked where the speaker was and Posie explained how it worked. By this time women were being targeted by officers intent on dispersing us. They threatened us with fines, £100 each and Posie with £10,000. I was stood next to a lovely lady (V) we were on the pavement, off the square. Officer told us to go. Kenyon told me to go to a side street away from the pavement that I wasn't even to be near the square. He then moved off again to order officers to take Posie. Handcuffs were out. V was given a fixed penalty. A relatively nice officer approached me and asked for my details. I told him I'd driven 2 and half hours for this, to listen to political speeches. He said " I get your frustration but this isn't a political group so you have to disperse" I asked him if we were allowed to go for coffee and he said as long as you go away from here you can all do what you want. He didn't fine me as I walked a little way from him and stood by the bus stop. By then Posie was being led across the square. Some of us followed and her banners were left with women. Some women disappeared. After the police drove off with Posie, releasing the lady with handcuffs a few of us gathered in two groups. Claire made a video. Our group of six were treated to a speech prepared by another lovely girl. It was her first speech so she read it to the 5 of us.
We clapped her and I think it was me who suggested we all go up to Millennium square (I'd gone there by accident earlier)
It was agreed and some texted other women and all of a sudden we seemed to have a plan. More women appeared and the decision was made to make our speeches anyway in this much larger space. The I love JKR banner was raised for photo opportunities and we began. Make More Noise made the first one. She was passionate and brilliant. Women on the lookout noticed 2 police on foot at the far end. They radioed but did not approach. A man with a very large trans flag stood at the bottom and waved it. More women appeared, I think we were then up to 27 and passer byes also were curious. A lady was there with 2 children. Some sat, all were distanced and some of us walked around the space. Our speaker from Victoria square made her speech again. Now the police vans were arriving and Kenyon was back and furious. Third speaker was up, this was the girl in the Thought Criminal t shirt. The video shows what happened here. More fixed penalties were issued but most of us walked just far enough out of their way. After they bundled (E) into the van Kenyon signalled officers to take down (I). She went to sit on the steps, as she began to have an asthma attack. 2 officers stood over her, giving her no space, Kenyon wouldn't let me go to her, He snarled at me, "Do you think we can't manage? and if you don't leave here I'm taking your details, you were down at the other Square and were told to disperse". I walked the other side of (I) and said to the officers "let me take her for a coffee, she's not well". They ignored me and took her details. As she felt better, (cool as a cucumber) she got up and walked away, they called after her "take care (I).
We left, as quite a large group by now to go for a much needed drink, 2 officers did walk down to the man with a flag and he quickly whipped it down and left. We walked past 3 TRA? possibly who looked quite terrified of us! No one said anything. After this some of us went in (I')s "Terf wagon" to Elland Road police station to await the release of Posie and the Thought Criminal (Turned out she'd been taken somewhere else). After a wait of probably half hour, Posie came out, all smile and glamour and we all chatted, had a photo and waited for her husband to collect her. I left at this point as my car was in the park and ride opposite and the Terfwagon went back to the pub to join the other group.
Each one of those women were bloody awesome. I didn't hear one swear or be rude to the Police although each stood her ground. I think the total was 3 arrests and 6 fixed penalties as one girl got two! I was lucky in that no details were taken nor was I fined. Would I go again to the next one? You bet. I'll bloody organise it.