Shock move after anti-trans activist Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull attacked during her own women’s rally
An anti-transgender campaigner has been attacked at one of her rallies, saying she thought her children ‘would lose their mother’.
Controversial pro-woman and anti-transgender campaigner Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull said she thought she was going to die after she was attacked with tomato sauce and mobbed, forcing to cut her planned rally short.
The biological sex campaigner, who also goes by Posie Parker, staged a rally in Auckland on Saturday on the next leg of her international Let Women Speak tour, which is aimed to support women’s rights.
Ms Keen-Minshull attended her organised rally at Auckland’s Albert Park, but it was quickly drowned out by LGBTQIA+ protesters.
The British Activist and self-described transphobe had to be led out of the event by a large amount of police.
The 48-year-old said she genuinely feared for her life during the event.
“I genuinely thought if I fell to the floor I would never get up again, my children would lose their mother and my husband would lose his wife,” she wrote on Twitter.
“My security saved my life today, no words can express my gratitude.”
After being driven away from the rally in the back of a police car, Ms Keen-Minshull hinted she would cancel the planned speaking event in Wellington on Sunday.
A statement from Speak Up For Women later confirmed it would no longer be taking place.
The organisation also said an investigation will be made in relation to the conduct on Saturday.
“Speak Up for Women thanks Mrs Keen-Minshull for having the courage to come to New Zealand and showing up in Albert Park today, despite receiving multiple death threats and threats of violence in the last week,” the statement read.
“In the coming weeks Speak Up For Women will be gathering witness statements and laying a formal complaint with the Independent Police Conduct Authority about the lack of police action to prevent violence in what was clearly an increasingly volatile situation.”
One of 2,000 counter-protesters, in support of trans people, ran towards the 48-year-old and poured a bottle of tomato sauce on her head as she was on stage preparing to address the crowd.
#BREAKING: Watch the moment tomato soup was poured on @ThePosieParker in Auckland @6NewsAUpic.twitter.com/3WzslEjfEh
— Leonardo Puglisi (@Leo_Puglisi6) March 25, 2023
On the way to the car... pic.twitter.com/Q73IuBistu
— Dylan Reeve (@DylanReeve) March 24, 2023
Footage shows the controversial activist struggling to get through the crowd to escape the crushing mob with her security.
The crowd quickly became violent with supporters and protesters pushing against each other, while a metal barrier was pushed down by screaming counter-protesters.
“Oi Posie, bugger off,” one of the signs in the crowd read.
The anti-trans activist attempted to speak but she was consistently drowned out by screams and chants of “go home”.
Counter-protesters quickly took over the rally, chanting “trans rights are human rights”.
Police filled out the crowd, attempting to help the British activist escape as signs from counter-protesters read “trans pride” and “real feminists support ALL women”.
Another sign read “Protect trans lives”.
Controversial Liberal candidate Katherine Deves shared a video of the carnage to her Twitter, calling the mob “utterly deranged”.
“So vulnerable and oppressed,” she wrote.
“They are an utterly deranged mob, I hope this goes viral.”
Ms Deves made further comments saying she was “utterly appalled” by the crowds.
So vulnerable and oppressed
— Katherine Deves 🇦🇺🚺 (@deves_katherine) March 24, 2023
They are an utterly deranged mob
I hope this goes viral#LetWomenSpeak#LetWomenSpeakAucklandhttps://t.co/VDQwCm3bf1
She continued to say the “extreme left are domestic terrorists” emboldened by the state.
“Their rage intensifies as women refuse to back down, they will do anything - intimidation, threats, violent, mobs, screaming to drown women out - to shut women up,” Ms Deves wrote.
Ms Keen-Minshull quickly took to Twitter saying the situation was “shameful” and she quickly “feared” for her life.
“I’m very afraid for the women here. The woman hatred is extreme,” she wrote.
Another tweet from Ms Keen-Minshull read: “The bravery of the New Zealand women and men who came to speak the truth shall not be forgotten. I was honoured to be among you. I’m so sorry.”
She further said that her activism was simple by letting women speak.
“Why does that make anyone so angry?” Ms Keen-Minshull said.
“We showed the world what happens to women when they try to speak. No one can pretend they don’t see the salivating misogyny.”
Co-leader of the Green Party, James Shaw, issued a statement following the violent rally, saying the party stands with trans and non-binary whānau.
“Aotearoa should be a place where everyone can live their lives without fear of hate or discrimination,” he said.
New angle of the violence at today's #LetWomenSpeak event in NZ. KJK and security are barely able to escape the crushing mob of deranged trans activists. Remember, this is the "right side of history". pic.twitter.com/B8fI452bUz
— Araweelo_ (@Araweel0Returns) March 25, 2023
“The Green Party’s commitment to nonviolence is at the heart of our founding values.”
Victorian MP Moira Deeming said the “vilification and escalating, extreme, public violence” is a “cultural and political crisis”.
Ms Keen-Minshull held a rally outside Victorian state parliament last week which quickly descended into violence and was attended by about 30 men dressed in black, who repeatedly performed the Nazi salute before being led away by police.
Anti-trans protesters clashed with pro-LGBTQI+ rights campaigners who staged counter-protests at each of Ms Keen-Minshull’s Australian rallies, which were also held in Perth and Hobart.
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