This is an ongoing story which will continue to be updated.
A demonstration organised by the campaign group Let Women Speak (LWS) is taking place at Bonn Square. Around 100 counterprotesters have also assembled, including members from the Oxford Green Party, Stand Up to Racism, and Oxford for Trans Rights (O4TR).
Police officers have separated the two groups on either side of Queen Street, with some disruption to traffic. Members of the Oxfordshire Patriots, a local right-wing activist group, have also taken to Bonn Square.
The original event was advertised by LWS as a “free speech event” and is anticipated to feature speeches critical of transgender rights. So far the event has attracted a crowd of around 30 supporters, holding Union Jack flags and banners which say “human female”.
Counterprotesters have been handing out flyers, chanting “we don’t want your culture war”. Speakers from LWS have responded, saying “no woman has a penis, no man has a vagina”. As well as transgender rights, the groups have also clashed on issues including national borders and fascism.
During the protest, an LWS activist said: “Those people shouting [the counterprotesters] – they want more men in women’s spaces, they want to sterilise your children.”
The counterprotest was partly organised by O4TR. In an Instagram post ahead of the protest, O4TR called for its members to “rally in number to show that we will not tolerate transphobes and racists on our streets”.
LWS is an international movement founded by Kellie-Jay Keen, an anti-transgender activist also known as Possie Parker. The organisation seeks to defend “the rights of women” which it defines as “adult human females”.
Ahead of the demonstration, a spokesperson from LWS told Cherwell: “We’re coming to Oxford at the request of local women, who also assist with organising the event. Our events are free speech and open mic, this means any woman can come and speak.”
The spokesperson added that LWS “gives voice to mothers, midwives, survivors, students, teachers, and countless others who know firsthand the importance of clarity in language, law, and single-sex protections”.
One of the leaflets distributed by the counterprotesters reads: “Posie Parker you can’t hide, you have fascists on your side!”
A plant and poster sale is also taking place in Bonn Square, with large crowds making their way through the Queen Street and Bonn Square area, including students in sub fusc who have recently matriculated.
Cherwell has approached Oxford University LGBTQ+ Society for comment.
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