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JK Rowling has congratulated feminist writer Julie Bindel after she won her lawsuit against a council that canceled an event where she was scheduled to speak because her views “contrary to their stance on trans rights.”
The radical feminist and lesbian activist, who co-founded the law reform group Justice for Women, took legal action against Nottingham City Council after leaders deplatformed her a day before her speech.
Ms Bindel would speak about ‘feminist activism to end male violence’ in Nottingham at Aspley Library.
She claimed she only found out that the 90-minute call had been canceled when she was traveling to the city from London.
Harry Potter author Rowling, who came under fire this week for taunting celebrities for supporting trans children’s charity Mermaids, said the trial’s outcome was a “win for free speech.”
Feminist writer and lesbian activist Julie Bindel (pictured) has won her case against Nottingham City Council after alleging it tried to ‘deplatform’ her for her ‘views on transgender rights’ in June
Harry Potter author JK Rowling, who spoke after the verdict, tweeted that the lawsuit was ‘a major victory for free speech’
Rowling wrote on Twitter that the lawsuit was a victory for “feminist groups and speakers” who have tried to silence
Commenting on Ms Bindel’s landmark case on Twitter, the Scottish author said: ‘A major victory for freedom of expression and a reminder that, as much as some would like to censor and silence feminist groups and speakers, the latter have law on their side.’
In June, the council said it had decided to cancel the June meeting due to “the speaker’s views on transgender rights.”
The event was organized by Nottingham Women for Change, which describes itself as ‘a group for activism, education and empowerment just for women’.
It said the event was organized to “discuss feminism and domestic violence under pressure from men’s rights activists.”
In a statement at the time, the council said: “Nottingham is an inclusive city and as a council we support the LGBT community and are committed to supporting trans rights as human rights through Stonewall.”
Instead of holding it in the hall in June, Ms Bindel held the lecture outside on the street, despite the presence of protesters
Following Friday’s ruling, Nottingham City Council said it “now accepts that its decision to cancel the event was procedurally illegal.”
A spokesperson added: ‘Nottingham City Council apologize to Ms Bindel and Nottingham Women for Change for canceling the event in this way and for the inconvenience caused by this decision.
Nottingham City Council has agreed that if Nottingham Women for Change wishes to make a booking at a Nottingham City Council location by means of a completed booking form, the City will make a new decision in response to such request on a legal basis. ‘
On her blog, Ms Bindel wrote: “They have admitted that it was illegal to cancel my lecture and ban me and my hosts from the library, and they have apologized.”
After the speech was cancelled, the feminist writer decided to hold the speech outside the library where it was supposed to take place.
She spoke to dozens of listeners, and despite the presence of trans rights activists protesting her.
Ms Bindel was set to speak earlier this year at the Aspley Library in Nottingham on ‘feminist activism to end male violence in Nottingham’
After the verdict, she wrote: “I consider it highly insulting and problematic for public authorities to decide that I am too controversial and even dangerous for women to listen to when I talk about campaigns to end rape.” and domestic violence. …
“I decided to take legal action against Nottingham City Council under both the Equality Act 2010 and the Human Rights Act 1998 to prevent Nottingham City Council and other local authorities and public bodies from removing feminists who oppose gender ideology from public buildings. keep out.’
In a statement on Facebook, Notting Women for Change said: “Nottingham Women for Change are relieved that Nottingham City Council has apologized for their unlawful actions against us and Julie Bindel.
“We are grateful to Julie for leading this action and the brilliant legal team who ensured legality and sanity won.
“As always, our organizers will continue to work for women with events to help us learn from each other and grow as people. Women are people. We are worthy to be respected and to be treated justly.”
The feminist writer has previously been criticized for her gender-critical views.
She was accused of transphobia after claiming she does not believe trans women can say they are female.
Ms Bindel’s speech at York University on feminism and freedom of expression by the Free Speech York Society was canceled after student protests.
She was deplatformed after the university said it couldn’t be sure the event would go ahead safely.