Media Statement on behalf of FiLiA
Response to media enquiries:
The Chief Executive and co-founder of FiLiA, Lisa-Marie Taylor said “We are delighted that our conference is going ahead. We were dismayed when we were informed by Platform at very short notice that they were not going to allow us into the venue. It was clear to us that they and their staff had been pressurised by a group determined to undermine women’s rights and thwarting freedom of speech. The idea that so many women may have been shut out because of a small band of anti-democratic and anonymous campaigners was extremely distressing. We are very grateful to our legal team for acting so quickly to turn this round.”
Joanna Cherry MP, who is speaking at the conference said “I hope that this case sends a very clear message to venues all over the country that they do not have to buckle when pressurised by misguided and anonymous activists hell-bent on undermining not only women who wish to advance the ongoing problems we continue to face on a daily basis, but the rule of law itself. The law is on their side. I stand in solidarity with FiLiA having myself been ‘cancelled’ earlier in the year, only for me to take similar legal action and for The Stand to back down. I said at the time: "I think it says something's gone very wrong in Scotland's civic space. Small groups of activists are now dictating who can speak and what can be discussed.”
I stand by that concern, but the fight must go on to allow everyone to debate the issues freely without fear of being vilified and cancelled by a small minority out to undermine fundamental principles of democracy’
David McKie of Levy & McRae, Solicitors who represents FiLiA said: “The Equality Act is very clear and is designed to prevent anyone being discriminated against on grounds of their beliefs. The law applies to all. The recent cases of Billy Graham against the SECC and Joanna Cherry against The Stand Comedy Club reinforced that principle.”
By Way of Background
FiLiA, the women-led volunteer organisation will be proceeding with their conference on 13th-15th October 2023 in Glasgow, with over 1400 delegates signed up to attend from all over the world despite an 11th hour attempt to have the event stopped by an anonymous trans activist group.
The charity, which is part of the Women’s Liberation Movement was the subject of an online campaign by Glasgow Trans Rally to prevent their conference proceeding.
Despite the event having been booked and paid for and over 1000 women having arranged flights, accommodation (many of whom are of limited means and have survived male oppression and violence), the venue, Platform and its staff were placed under extraordinary pressure from an online pressure group who attempted to force the venue into cancelling the event.
The owners and staff of the venue were pressurised to such a degree that they cancelled the event less than twelve hours before FiLiA were due to set up for the three day conference.
FiLiA considered that the proposed actions of the venue were unlawful and instructed their lawyers, Levy & McRae, to take immediate action.
FiLiA were pleased that the venue sensibly backed down after Levy & McRae’s intervention and appreciate the stance that Platform ultimately took .
FiLiA value the important principles of freedom of speech which are vital to ensure that they can continue the campaign for women’s liberation. FiLiA are looking forward to hosting a vibrant, diverse and successful conference.
FiLiA is a women-led grassroots charity whose volunteers put on the largest annual feminist conference in Europe. With no conference funding, they bring well over 1,000 attendees to a different city each year, enabling women to hear from local, national and global voices on topics as diverse as FGM, forced marriage, coercive control and femicide. This year FiLiA is platforming activists from Afghanistan, Iran, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Australia and (of course) Scotland.