Half of a letter email regarding the anti trans speech in Auckland today.

Hi Barry, Well, what I just witnessed in Albert Park in Auckland was truly devastating for free speech in New Zealand. The reason I joined the Free Speech Union was because I firmly believe that no matter the topic, we should disagree freely and without violence. Today, I realised that we have a much bigger task in front of us than I thought because Kiwis are already choosing violence and being celebrated for it. When I arrived at the Let Women Speak event today, I was pleased to see that the growing protest crowd was loud, but contained and separate from the event attendees. We expected noise from the protestors and they certainly delivered, but I did not expect the violence I witnessed. No sooner had Kellie-Jay Keen Minshull arrived at the Rotunda, a protestor (who had managed to get past the barrier) ran at her and threw a red substance all over her and a security guard. As she attempted to clean up, the protestors pushed over, crushed, and dismantled the barriers and swarmed around her. At this point, I was caught in the angry crowd. I had whistles blown in my face, abuse