Trans activists vandalise feminist conference
More than 2,400 people are expected to attend the women's rights conference, said the organisers
- Published
Police have launched an investigation after a venue in Brighton was vandalised ahead of a women's rights conference.
Trans activists claimed responsibility for the incident at the Brighton Centre on Kings Road in the early hours of Friday.
Masked figures were seen in online videos smashing windows and spray-painting the building, ahead of a three-day event billed as one of the largest grassroots feminist gatherings in Europe.
Activists from Bash Back, which describes itself as a "trans-led direct action group", posted a statement saying it was behind the vandalism.
The group said it carried out the vandalism because the conference was hosting "some of the most vicious transphobia in pop politics", and warned of further action.
Previous guests at the charity's conference have included JK Rowling, who has been called transphobic for her views on gender identity and allowing trans women into women-only spaces.
The author retweeted a post on X which criticised the vandalism.
Event organisers FiLiA said: "It is shocking and saddening that a conference for women to discuss domestic abuse, sexual violence and lesbian safety has been met with smashed windows, graffiti and intimidation."
Sussex Police urged anyone who witnessed what happened to get in contact.
FiLiA CEO Lisa-Marie Taylor added that the charity "campaigns for a world free from patriarchy where all women and girls are liberated."
"The activities of a small, violent minority will not diminish the spirit of sisterhood and solidarity which FiLiA embodies," she said.
More than 2,400 people are expected to attend the conference to hear from 250 speakers from around the world, according to organisers.
Talks will cover a "broad spectrum" of topics, including "anti-racism, women's health, male violence, political organising, lesbian lives, migration and class", they added.
Sussex Police urged anyone who witnessed what happened or has relevant information to get in contact.
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