29/01/2025
Hello coalition members and supporters.
After being so proud to be part of
UK Women's March (UKWM) and host the
Lincoln march, we have an unfortunate update.
Just a few days after our successful march, which saw
upwards of 200 people attend in support of women's
rights, we have been blocked and removed from all
UKWM Facebook groups and messenger by the
organiser (Hollie) without any explanation.
This has happened to at least 25 other women who
organised marches in their city. We are all still in the
dark about what has happened. We have tried to
contact Hollie, and she agreed to a meeting with us,
but did not attend.
Our best understanding is that those who spoke up
against the decision to invite a convicted torturer
and ra**st to speak in London, or who otherwise
threatened the leadership of UKWM by speaking out
about dangerous decision-making, and abuses of power,
have been removed from the movement we put time,
and resources into and helped create.
We are disappointed. We offered our Safe Space Zone ™
training free of charge to all city leads, safeguarding
consultation, and our responsible activism framework.
On the day, we provided first aid assistance, water
bottles, a marquee, 6 members of the CPUK team,
a megaphone, PA system , and many more supplies.
We provided pre-march training for the stewards.
We collected for CPUK as we were informed that each
city could choose a women's org to collect for.
We raised £147.64 - Not enough to cover the costs.
If you attended the march, you saw our founder,
Claire Louise Chamberlain lead the chants and the songs,
you saw our excitement and enthusiasm to be part of
Hollie's movement. And we did all of this free of charge
with the understanding we would continue to work with
UK Women's March.
We did not expect to be removed and blocked from
everything when the march was finished. We feel used
for our work, and discarded.
Clear Path UK condemns the exploitation of city
organisers.
We condemn using women's resources, connections,
money, time, equipment, and taking the credit.
We condemn women's rights activism spaces that do not
allow all women's voices, while claiming to be inclusive
& pro women's rights.
We are beyond disappointed to have to post this, but feel it would be irresponsible to say nothing, and allow further women to be treated the same way without fair warning.
Solidarity.
