Welsh women won’t wheesht

Rallying for Jen, justice and free speech!

On Sunday 23rd January Jennifer Swayne (Jen) was arrested and charged with aggravated public disorder. Jen was posting stickers in Newport. Stickers opposing sex-based violence, stating that three women a week are killed by men in the UK –truth. Stickers asserting women’s biology, and that humans cannot change sex – truth. Stickers calling for women’s single-sex safe spaces to be protected – currently they are not.

Jen, who is disabled and uses a mobility scooter, was held in Newport police station for over 10 hours. Her phone was seized and, during a later search of her home, more stickers and a book (a collection of academic essays) were also seized. Continue reading “Welsh women won’t wheesht”

Gwent Police’s arrest of a woman in Newport

Statement from WRN-Wales and Merched Cymru

We have noted with disappointment and disbelief the content of the press release issued yesterday by Gwent Police about the circumstances surrounding the arrest of a woman in Newport on Sunday 23 January.

Gwent Police have lost a great deal of public confidence as a result of this situation, especially among women who are deeply concerned both about the apparent proportionality and motivation for the arrest and detention, and about Gwent Police’s subsequent handling and messaging. Continue reading “Gwent Police’s arrest of a woman in Newport”