Thread by @ShahrarAli

Sex-Based Rights vs Cancel Culture
I am challenging an unlawful discriminatory and oppressive campaign that would have me removed as the Green Party of England and Wales Spokesperson for Policing and Domestic Safety. crowdjustice.com/case/sex-based… 1/24

I have done nothing wrong. I have stood by the principles and values of the Party for twenty years; nine years as a national Spokesperson, two of which as Deputy Leader. 2/24

Since 2018, I have been subjected to unrelenting abuse, harassment and detriment because I dared to express my gender critical views and seek rational consensus about matters of sex and gender identity. 3/24

In 2021, I stood as Party Leader on a platform which centred women’s sex-based rights. I said space for respectful debate was needed – and that the intimidation of women, or silencing of their voices, must be tackled. 4/24

There are many areas of legitimate concern: around the provision of single-sex spaces in prison or rape crisis centres; safety or fairness in sports with trans competitors; or the dispensing of puberty blockers to children, without sufficient diligence. 5/24

Reciting the slogan, "Trans Women are Women", does not tell us much, if anything, about how to navigate these thorny issues; especially, when there can be competing claims for access to or provision of services for those with different protected characteristics. 6/24

I have exercised my right, as a member, to propose policy to the Party's national conference – on issues from the need for better safeguards in prescribing puberty blockers; to the problems of continued affiliation with Stonewall. 7/24

I have survived several earlier attempts to aggressively discipline me through the Party’s complaints processes. I fear that may not be the case on 5th February as this matter goes before the Executive. 8/24

The Party is failing in its duty of care towards me, and others, preferring to facilitate and endorse the present hostile environment and conducting itself contrary to the provisions of the Equality Act 2010. 9/24

My 2021 Leadership campaign struck a chord with women, many joining or returning to the Party to vote for me. Over 50% of electors gave me a positive preference & 21% their first preference, not because they believed they were voting for a "transphobe", as has been alleged. 10/24

Nor are those members transphobic who recently voted in a majority gender critical committee to @GreenPartyWomen.
I am not “anti-trans” as seems to be the unfortunate suggestion of some. I am a passionate advocate of equality and diversity through and through. 11/24

Why now?
On Saturday, 5 Feb 2022, the Green Party Executive Committee will have before them a recommendation from a newly formed Spokespeople Support and Monitoring Sub-committee that my Spokesperson appointment be suspended. 12/24

They claim I have broken the Spokespeople code of conduct through my, “decision to champion a highly controversial position in the trans rights debate not compatible with acting as a spokesperson for the party.” 13/24

Despite my repeated requests for them to provide me with evidence, these allegations remain unevidenced. To this day, I have not been told what clause I am supposed to have broken; or when, or how. 14/24

Since Oct 2021, I have been further deprived, inexplicably, of my usual means of seeking support and soliciting advice on external communications. Moreover, the Co-Coordinators for Equality and Diversity have expressed grave concerns over the conduct of the Sub-committee: 15/24

"It appears that, from its very inception, the Group was set up with the primary intention of censuring Shahrar Ali. As Equality & Diversity coordinators, our integrity is key; therefore, we cannot continue to validate this process by remaining part of this Group." (290122) 16/24

What are we trying to achieve?
We need a compassionate politics, where it's possible to agree to disagree; and to allow others who want to debate or negotiate their rights to be left free to do so without unreasonable interference or fear of cancellation. 17/24

There is nothing compassionate in politics about the passive aggressive injunction to, "Just be kind!”; or else.
This case has ramifications for the advocacy of women’s sex-based rights across political parties and charitable organisations. 18/24

If the Executive Committee approve and accept the recommendation of the Spokespeople Support and Monitoring Sub-committee to suspend me as Spokesperson, which unfortunately looks likely, it will have continued to conduct itself in breach of the Equality Act 2010. 19/24

I will need to take urgent steps to seek to vindicate my position through legal action. Gender critical beliefs are protected in law, as clarified by the Maya Forstater case. 20/24

How much we are raising and why?
£10k, initially, in order to meet the costs of legal advice, including issuing proceedings against the Green Party. Some of these costs have already been incurred. 21/24

Every person has their limit of how much abuse, harassment and victimisation they can take; as do I. 22/24

Vexatious allegations were also directed to my place of work, such are the disproportionate depths to which some of these individuals will stoop. I need your support now. Please be as generous as you can afford. 23/24

I will take whatever steps are necessary to defend free speech and combat authoritarian abuse in the body politic. Please, after contributing, do share this page widely. Thank you for supporting me in defending free speech and standing up for women's sex-based rights! 24/24