Crowdfunding and extortionate costs

[Honestopinion23]

I know that it's a travesty that women are having to bring these cases etc etc but I've just seen one GC feminist whose crowdfunding target is now £400,000, on top of a previous figure of £150k already raised. There are several other ones also asking for extremely high figures. I am just shocked that the costs could be so high (over half a million), even if the hearing is a lengthy one, and I worry that now cost of living is escalating that ordinary people won't be able to part with large amounts of cash. There's also something in me that says why should they have to. I know, I know, there is no obligation to donate but it makes me feel guilty reading the requests for funding. And I just feel a bit uncomfortable about the whole thing.
Hopefully JKR will swoop in and fund all of them!

Had the same problem. Think it was the wrong site. So cancelled and started again on the new one. Which showed the proper payment.

The reality is that for complex legal cases these costs aren't surprising. And that is why so many organisations get away with bullying people into silence

Looks like this thread is being screenshotted and discussed on twitter :

twitter.com/setoacnna/status/1510617502946107400?s=20&t=LcPUSNcDDSEGYDRW0JgSaw

@Yipja

Nope no luck again. It takes it as far as the LEGL. and my bank but registers 0.00. I've used a different browser, a different card. I will contact them tomorrow.

I had the same issue but am in the comments as having donated £10 ! Need to check my credit card tomorrow!

[quote rabbitwoman]Looks like this thread is being screenshotted and discussed on twitter :

twitter.com/setoacnna/status/1510617502946107400?s=20&t=LcPUSNcDDSEGYDRW0JgSaw[/quote]
The very idea that women might spend their own money as they so choose!

And it's always a screenshot, isn't it, rather than an actual link.

Thank you for the nudging! It’s just been payday, and gardening is my favourite hobby - off to support Allison, Raquel and Katie - thank you all for your bravery, for standing for our women and girls, despite the huge personal cost

Another garden that needs tending is Emma Bateman: challenging the Green Party for its shocking treatment of her. 💚

[quote rabbitwoman]Looks like this thread is being screenshotted and discussed on twitter :

twitter.com/setoacnna/status/1510617502946107400?s=20&t=LcPUSNcDDSEGYDRW0JgSaw[/quote]
Comments are eye-opening. How have people who don't understand about legal specialisms attained any influence whatsoever?

Why are companies and MPs running scared of people who think being a successful lawyer in any legal sphere means you'll never need to employ another lawyer in other spheres?

Another donation of 50k!

@AlsoNotAGirl

NonnyMouse1337

Katie Alcocks case against Girl Guiding needs to be added to that list. I think this is an important case wrt safeguarding generally and raises the lack of protection for volunteer whistleblowers

Thanks! The one for Katie Alcock is there, but I seem to have accidentally placed it in the list of past crowdfunders - oops! I'll correct that when I'm on my laptop later tonight.

I am blocked from the original author of the tweet, who has about 12,000 followers, but have seen some of the replies.

It really is eye-opening.

I am so looking forward to this case, and Stonewall's activities being scrutinised to the absolute nth degree, and how on Earth some of these folks are going to continue to support them.

Allison must have updated the wording on the donation page. It now says
"If, however, at the conclusion of this case, there are excess funds remaining, I will divide those funds equally between the gender critical crowdfunders active at the time, with anything left over going to Samaritans, a charity registered in England and Wales."

@Waitwhat23

Another donation of 50k!

Yay!!!

Go wims ❤️

Wow, 2x 50K donations. That's amazing.

I wish our elected representatives would read the comments on crowdfunders like this. See the strength of feeling. See what ordinary people really think.

Happy to keep supporting you @RaquelRosarioSanchez

I just wish I had a spare 50k!

I’ve lost track of who I’ve donated to already but will do another whip round when I get paid. These aren’t just donations - they are insurance, as we could be in the same position ourselves one day.

@RaquelRosarioSanchez you should never feel hesitant about asking for money - I get how awkward it must be, but we do understand the absolute vastness of the legal machine pitted against you, and we want to help.

I read your statement and it was absolutely devastating. (And I recognised some things that, in a small way, are reflected in my own life.) I also think of my son at university, and how I would like him to be treated. What they are doing to you is just unconscionable and cannot be allowed to stand.

And - even looking at this from a completely cold-blooded point of view, even if I wasn't absolutely, furiously incensed at the way you've been treated - it makes utilitarian sense for us all to support your case, if we are in a position to do so. I'm a single parent on a low wage, not much room for extras. But I've just dobbed in a few quid (very few, sorry) to your crowd funder, and I will again to Allison's, and I'll look up Jo Phoenix's, because (and I realise how awful this sounds, but it's true) it's good value. The few quid I can afford to donate seems silly, but mine and everyone else's few quids mount up. Even though my few quid will go to pay lawyers whose hourly rates I can barely comprehend, it's still good value. What is happening to you affects us all. It is in all our interests that you and Allison and Jo have good outcomes in these cases. We are desperate for you to win.

(And this isn't a criticism of anyone who isn't donating or who can't donate- we all pick our battles.)

@ArcheryAnnie 22:11
You have written what I feel too about the value of her stance and the gratitude everyone feels towards her.

[quote ArcheryAnnie]@RaquelRosarioSanchez you should never feel hesitant about asking for money - I get how awkward it must be, but we do understand the absolute vastness of the legal machine pitted against you, and we want to help.

I read your statement and it was absolutely devastating. (And I recognised some things that, in a small way, are reflected in my own life.) I also think of my son at university, and how I would like him to be treated. What they are doing to you is just unconscionable and cannot be allowed to stand.

And - even looking at this from a completely cold-blooded point of view, even if I wasn't absolutely, furiously incensed at the way you've been treated - it makes utilitarian sense for us all to support your case, if we are in a position to do so. I'm a single parent on a low wage, not much room for extras. But I've just dobbed in a few quid (very few, sorry) to your crowd funder, and I will again to Allison's, and I'll look up Jo Phoenix's, because (and I realise how awful this sounds, but it's true) it's good value. The few quid I can afford to donate seems silly, but mine and everyone else's few quids mount up. Even though my few quid will go to pay lawyers whose hourly rates I can barely comprehend, it's still good value. What is happening to you affects us all. It is in all our interests that you and Allison and Jo have good outcomes in these cases. We are desperate for you to win.

(And this isn't a criticism of anyone who isn't donating or who can't donate- we all pick our battles.)[/quote]
👏 👏 👏

@NonnyMouse1337

Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart to women like Allison, Raquel, Maya and many others. They are personally liable for these extortionate amounts, and yet have decided to face powerful and underhanded institutions and organisations because they realise their cases will affect all women. I don't know if I would have had the courage to do the same if I was put in such a position.

To use Allison's phrase, these women are placing their trust in us - the public, as an act of faith. Times are getting tough for many, but for those of us who are able to spare a bit of money, I hope we can continue to show them that we have their back.

As mentioned by other posters, the real issue is big players like Stonewall, universities etc being able to bully and intimidate claimants via legal fees. It pisses me off that these orgs use public funding for their dirty tactics, and the current legal system allows them to get away with it.

We have to win. We must. I was at the prisons protest in Scotland yesterday and it was upsetting and enraging to hear the experience of some women who had been imprisoned and knew of males in the women's prisons.

However long it takes and however much it costs, I will do what I can to help put an end to this disgusting ideology that has spread and infected public and private organisations around the world. At least here in the UK, we still have a relatively decent judicial system. I am so upset by the impact this ideology will have on women in countries that are less able or willing to protect them.

It was a uplifting but at the same day upsetting day. Great to see so many gallus women.

And absolutely this is about all women everywhere. We have to hold the line whatever it takes.

Raquel is now £48,887 away from target. I found this tweet on the subject which proposes a Cunning Plan to raise the rest of the money, and I'm persuaded by it!

Due to surprise legal bills after the case, Raquel Rosario Sánchez has less than a week to pay £50k!

Could you please all go teetotal for a week, and donate your week's alcohol budget to her instead?

This link helpfully quotes Raquel and you can get to the crowdfunder that way.

twitter.com/Dora_Callisto/status/1510435227776262146?t=COd3flhG5iVWCcArwjZljg&s=19

[quote PurgatoryOfPotholes]Raquel is now £48,887 away from target. I found this tweet on the subject which proposes a Cunning Plan to raise the rest of the money, and I'm persuaded by it!

Due to surprise legal bills after the case, Raquel Rosario Sánchez has less than a week to pay £50k!

Could you please all go teetotal for a week, and donate your week's alcohol budget to her instead?

This link helpfully quotes Raquel and you can get to the crowdfunder that way.

twitter.com/Dora_Callisto/status/1510435227776262146?t=COd3flhG5iVWCcArwjZljg&s=19[/quote]
Thanks for the reminder, have just donated again to Raquel. What happens if she doesn't make the target? Does she still get the money raised?

I'm pretty sure she does. Gawd, the uni of Bristol is a carbuncle.

I went to the Katie Alcock one but it says it isn't currently accepting donations? I think she will reopen when her next stage starts? If it's meant to be open right now then do say