US — Seattle, Washington. On February 1, 2020, activists tried to physically shut down an event hosted by the Women’s Liberation Front (WoLF) at the Seattle Public Library. In the weeks prior to the event, activists had unsuccessfully pressured the library to cancel the discussion, “Fighting the New Misogyny: A Feminist Critique of Gender Identity”.

On the day of the event, police had to clear the library because of a bomb threat. Later, protesters gathered outside chanting “bigots out”, “TERFS out”, “no hate, no fear, every gender welcome here”, and carrying various signs, such as a pointed gun and the words “shut the f* up terfs”.

They don’t know I’m a TERF pic.twitter.com/3EH9b65Sc4 — Amy Eileen Hamm (@preta_6) February 2, 2020

This was at the protest against the Fighting the New Misogyny event at Seattle Public Library. Someone made it without thinking what it says about themselves & many people right there did nothing to stop it. When your movement condones violence against women, you’ve already lost. pic.twitter.com/R7Cz22v3y1 — Michael_A (@Michael_AW77) February 4, 2020

Video subsequently emerged of a group of protesters surrounding and harassing a woman wearing a pink “pussy” hat, with one large male shoving her. Other women reported being physically bruised by activists, or having their way blocked.

A woman shows the bruises she received from being shoved by activists

Watch a male transactivist physically harass a woman outside the SPL feminist event last night. Notice the tall man with long hair and gray sweatshirt. After I pass him, he follows me, repeatedly jumps in front of me, pushes me back, and blocks my way. #WomenRise#WomenSpeak pic.twitter.com/TlfRHYiym3 — MK McCaffrey (@MccaffreyMk) February 2, 2020



A woman recorded a man jumping in front of her, pushing her and blocking her way

One activist confessed to having no idea what the event was about, but protested anyway.

If you find my phrasing to be clueless, here’s the people that I’m chiding: pic.twitter.com/sM5FZg2XGu — Benjamin🛤Boyce (@BenjaminABoyce) February 3, 2020



Within moments of the event starting, some male attendees began shouting, blasting a horn and playing a piccolo. According to the Seattle Police Department, 10 ticket holders attempted to disrupt the event. When asked to leave, eight agreed and were escorted out of the library. Two refused and were arrested for trespassing.

Ten ticket-holders attempted to disrupt the event. When @SPLBuzz staff asked them to leave, eight agreed, and were escorted out of the library. Two ticket-holders ignored staff requests, and refused to leave. Officers arrested both for trespassing. (2 of 2) — Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) February 2, 2020

I thought this uploaded last night. Anyways, video of the five who were arrested & removed from SPL #Newmisogyny (the 4 in front of me & the dude in a red dress behind me). pic.twitter.com/V5gzh339jN — Amy Eileen Hamm (@preta_6) February 2, 2020



Video of protesters being arrested and removed from the library

From that point on, the event took place with only minor interruptions. All four panelists received standing ovations following their presentations.

The panelists from left to right: Lierre Keith, Meghan Murphy, Saba Malik, Kara Dansky (Courtesy: Feminist Current)

As women exited the event, activists shouted insults at them, while a second group of protesters yelled at the speakers as they were escorted from the building. One man attempted to cut off Meghan Murphy before she entered the escort vehicle, but was blocked by security.

As Amy Eileen Hamm summarized:

Women should not require bodyguards and police escorts in order to speak in public. We should not have to fear men will show up in masks and shove us -or worse – for wanting to discuss our rights. As the women inside the Seattle Public Library said: Let women speak. And while you’re at it, you could try listening, too.