Let Women Speak Liverpool - Sunday 8th October, 1-3pm

[starfruittree]

NC for this.
For a long time I have always said to myself if a LWS event came near to me, the least I could do was go along and show solidarity. Seeing what has happened elsewhere has made me so angry, it would be time to stand up and be counted.

Now there is an event next week, and I'm really surprised how nervous, even scared I am about going along just to listen, and really just wanted to reach out for advice, support, whatever.

I'm worried about the vitriol of protesters, the attitude of the police. I have worked in pretty 'captured' sectors and am concerned about being identified on social media, or by acquaintances - I'm fairly sure there'll be old contacts, people I like and who I have had time for - protesting or certainly vocally supporting the shutting down of KJK on the day. I guess I personally run the risk of being publicly 'outed' and losing friends and contacts that will have a real impact on things I do that mean a great deal to me.

Yet I feel if I don't go I will always regret not standing up and showing KJK support on my doorstep. I'm even worried about DM-ing the local Women's Rights Network as I tweet with my full name. Perhaps if anyone is on this board they can PM here, or give some info about plans for the day?

Sorry I haven't seen any threads about this LWS event so apologies if there is one already.

I'm worried that everything we've worked for will be tossed aside as a Tory talking point/election strategy after the GE.

Yes, i get it some people are more concerned with who they are seen to be, or supposed to be, associated with - but if you had been subject to what we were yesterday ( were you there?) - including by conference delegates and trade union reps and other activists - youi'd not be concerened with what people in the Labour party think. We know what they think. They've told us. Believe it.

Sounds really bad @RebelliousCow

I believe you

What a great few lines

Sums it up

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/4894480-female-surgeons-sexually-assaulted-by-colleagues-while-operating

1 in 3 women surgeous sexually assaulted by colleagues in the past 5 years (not all while actually operating).

And a recent WRN report revealed 6,500 sex attacks over 3 years (not sure if that was on patients and staff, or patients only) in English hospitals. That's 6 a day.

Honestly I'm at the point where any time I see an organisation talking about diversity but only flying this flag, I'm.going to assume that they actively discriminate against the other protected characteristics until it's fully proven otherwise.

Indeed. Where I work, rainbow lanyards & "progress" pride flags galore, but my colleague with quite limited mobility regularly finds that the disabled parking spot nearest a lecture hall (which is up a steep hill) is commandeered by builders' vans or otherwise unavailable - and not by another person with a blue badge. It's careless & thoughtless.

So the ACTUAL simple everyday things which allow employees with mobility impediments are overlooked, while interviewees for jobs are asked about "how they have implemented EDI policies."

youi'd not be concerened with what people in the Labour party think. We know what they think. They've told us. Believe it.

So who the fuck do we vote for next year?

I cannot vote Tory. I just cannot.

I hear you. I wasn't great today either tbh.

To reply to a remark about the Letts article. There's nothing in it which is untrue about what we women had to put up with yesterday. Including the screaming person with the back to front pizza box, and the big shouty beardy men, and "Robbie", and the ululating and the pure vindictive hate.

I toughed it out aIso. I didn't know anyone else there. I have neurological health issues, and thought: if I go down here with a seizure, away from the main group of women, I might get a kicking from some of these feckers. I can't even go to the Liverpool Brain Charity events because of the ageist anti terf crap coming out the LGBTQI++ handful who have captured it.

And the article "sniggering" about the situation was directed towards the arsewipes screaming at us, and not at the women trying to speak. So no apologies from me for saying that it made me smile, albeit temporarily. I'm fully aware of who QL is and why it was written. i hope people read it and think WTF?

That's how it was on Sunday. I'm all out of hopefully looking for responsible reporting, it's thin on the ground. For yesterday, I'll take a widely read piss take as vindication of what I saw and experienced.

As for the Fire Brigades Union, I'll save chapter and verse on them for another day.

Yes, disabilities are pretty low on the woke totem pole. Probably because that would mean companiescactually doing something real to make a difference when it's much easier to hang up a few progress pride flags.

I've been spoiling my ballot the last couple of elections ( local and national).....I cannot vote for my Labour MP. She has refused to meet with her constituents on this issue. I am in Liverpool. I used to be a Labour party member. If my Labour candidate was someone who had come out and voiced support for women on this issue then I'd vote for them.

TBH In future i will vote for any candidate who reflects my values and who I can feel some respect for - until then, I'll have to spoil.

The problem for me is that where i live the Tories have no chance of election - so they don't even field an experienced candidate - just a name for the sake of having someone's name to put an X by.

The Lib Dems arec a total lost cause. Totally TWAW. Greens likewise.

There are individuals in the Labour and Green parties who are worth supporting. Though admittedly it's hard to know who, as most are not prepared to brave the intimidation and abuse. Labour Women's Declaration are meeting now in Liverpool - they couldn't tell attendees the location until after 4pm such is the level of intimidation of women. Which goes unremarked and unchallenged by the Labour leadership.

The Communist Party of Britain and the Workers Party have a principled line, but very few candidates.

The problem for me is that where i live the Tories have no chance of election - so they don't even field an experienced candidate - just a name for the sake of having someone's name to put an X by.

The Lib Dems arec a total lost cause. Totally TWAW. Greens likewise.

I'm in the same situation.

And in fact the reality is with the first past the post system most of us have meaningless votes.

It is only in the swing constituencies that having a vote counts.

So maybe once we know which they are we should all go there and campaign for whichever candidate supports women's rights.

It's gone very quiet about KJK's party.

I agree the strategy must be to concentrate on marginal seats, the key target seats and the seats of high profile MPs. Make a huge amount of noise and focus on the candidates who are pro-rape. Because that is what letting men into women's spaces boils down to.

It's Labour's choice to lose the election because they hate women so much.

I am sure when I was listening to the live feed, although the sound was quite bad, that KJK talked about how the women who were willing to come and speak were more than welcome to join her Women's Party.

Isn't she still being interrogated by whatever process it is that you have to go through to be a registered political party.

https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/how-register-your-political-party

Private Eye perhaps?
Oh private eye have had their number for a while.
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/3284543-private-eye-cartoon

Like a lot of the Labour party, Private Eye know, but are not really speaking up. They could be doing so much more.

But then it was noticeable that the DM did not give that Letts piece anything like the prominence it gives to other work by their star sketch writer. Only one comment allowed, and that about the word ululating, and it remained buried deep within their feed. Fear of phobia accusations; fear of the offending woke interns or some within the power structure; a desire to capture more of the US market or the UK middle ground....who knows. The DM is reporting more than others, but is still treading carefully.

I'm sure I've seen a number of articles and cartoons. I don't think it's their prime target but didn't get the impression PE were either duped or intimidated. I don't usually read the mail unless sent a link but there have been almost as many Mail as Telegraph/Times links and they've been good clear fact. I don't think I'd read too much into what the Mail's editors think their readers are most interested in.

I suspect it is down to funding issues. Her costs have risen steeply now that has has to have two body guards and a getaway car at every event.

And you know this how?

I'm just surprised she would need this in addition to a large police presence.

A large police presence that does what exactly?

It’s a sketch, it’s meant to be light hearted. That’s what Letts does

But no part of it was untrue, and although light hearted, parts of it were quite shocking

I’d rather have this incident in the paper in this format than not at all, that’s for sure

I would hope prevention of crime and maintain social order.

I watched her latest update on you tube yesterday: " Oh, Liverpool" in which she talks about increased costs. She's no longer confident that the police can adequately protect her.

Have you been to any of the LWS events?

At the Liverpool event we were coralled in a small holding pen ( the police clearly didn't understand what the event may look like or what would be necessary to maintain good public order) as the mob swarmed around it and right up to it. They were screaming and shouting for over two hours; with violent intention.

I can believe she needs that security, without a doubt

I hope it doesn’t mean funding is low for campaigning

Maybe it’s all still being set up?