Conviction of trans activist for assault at Hyde Park

Today a 26 year old trans activist was convicted of ‘assault by beating’, after a 61 year old woman, Maria Maclachlan, was beaten at Speakers’ Corner in September 2017 when attempting to attend a meeting about sex and gender organised by another group.

It was this incident that caused us to establish Woman’s Place UK on 22nd September in order to ensure that women would be able to meet and discuss issues of material and legitimate relevance to them.

Since then we have organised several meetings involving over 1,000 people who have reasonable concerns about a change in the law. This has been done in the face of abuse, threats and harassment. You can read here the lengths we have had to go to to ensure our meetings go ahead safely.

Our meetings are open to all who want to come and be part of respectful debate. Unfortunately, some people choose to stay outside and protest rather than come in and be part of the discussion.

Yesterday, our Cardiff meeting had to be moved to a new venue at the last minute after a concerted campaign by Trans rights activists who bombarded the Mercure hotel with unsubstantiated complaints about us. This led to a tweet from the Mercure which we believe to be defamatory. We are taking legal advice on this.

Women have a right to meet and talk. We will continue to organise meetings so that women’s voices can be heard.

We are pleased to see the UK courts recognise and punish this violent assault and we send solidarity to Maria for her bravery and for refusing to be silenced.

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