While a woman in Scotland is facing criminal charges over social media posts, we are asking your urgent help in England, to defend a Bristol woman's freedom of speech by raising £1200 for legal costs. AB was dragged through six weeks of police threats to prosecute her under the Gender Recognition Act and the Malicious Communications Act, for having referred to a person's trans identity on social media--even though this had already been disclosed in public interviews and on TV.

 
Police increased the financial and personal pressure on the single mother of three, one of whom has Down's Syndrome, warning her not to tell anyone and stressing the urgency of the need to interview her. That meant that fundraising could not become public until now--just when they dropped the case.  AB was helped by the Labour Women's Declaration Working Group to find a paid and experienced criminal lawyer, who put long hours into these complex areas of law. Her robust response was vital to persuading Avon and Somerset Police, the UK's third biggest Stonewall funder, to stop the investigation, and to deter them and other police forces from harassing more women in this way.

Please can you contribute generously to the £1200 (£1000 +£200 VAT) fund today? We are convinced that without this paid expertise that AB would now be facing prosecution. Your contribution to this important victory for freedom of speech is very much appreciated.

Thank you.

The Labour Women’s Declaration Working Group have been supporting AB. All funds go straight to AB’s solicitor.