I'm in my home city of Manchester this afternoon. @StandingforXX is due to speak at 1pm. A sizeable counter-protest has already gathered. Fingers crossed for a peaceful afternoon
A number of men dressed in black with face coverings are embedded within the counter-protest.
Not sure where the gender critical contingent are going to set up and speak, given the Emmeline P
ankhurst statue appears to have been occupied
Just spoke to some women on the gender critical side. They were happy to chat with me and tell me what they think (all sounded reasonable), but would not be interviewed on camera. Concerned about losing their livelihoods.
Ah, so the gender critical contingent are gathering in front of the library, just across the street from the statue
Leaflet being handed out on the gender critical side
Speeches underway now. Topics have included women's spaces, abortion and a verbal kicking of Peter Tatchell. Kellie-Jay Keen is passing out 'adult human female' lanyards to supporters in the crowd
The smaller counter-protest are now blasting out Rick Astley and chanting "trans people are not a threat". All peaceful and good natured at the moment. Sun is out
Grabbed a few words from Kellie-Jay Keen
The counter-protest are singing "all cops are bastards" in the direction of the police on duty today
Just tried to engage the masked, black-clad guardians of the statue. Went as well as you would imagine.
"We are on the right side of history!"
Anyway, I aim to upload some coverage to YouTube as soon as I can. Please subscribe to YouTube.Com/gspellchecker and turn on notifications to be notified when it's released.
Shoutout to those that just happened to be passing by today, so stopped to listen. We're lucky he wasn't about to take a sip of a drink...
First death threat of the day by those "on the right side of history". And for goodness sake, it's 'you're'.
Anyway, thanks for your IP address @gmpolice
His funniest material in decades.
What? His mom? I've no idea who she is or what she believes. I've never spoken to/about her. This man is not well.
My coverage is now on YouTube
Watch "Coverage of Manchester 'Speakers Corner' event with Kelly-Jay Keen/Posie Parker" on YouTube
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