[SMRT.risingtide] Communication with Zoe

[Lee Veeraraghavan]

Hi guys,
Looks like the phone call won't happen immediately, but we've been in communication via e-mail (blerg, but it's been very respectful).  Here's an excerpt.  Can someone send this to Comms and Solidarity?
See some of you lovelies tonight...  In the meantime, stay posted for a novel from me, not in response to the communication with Zoe, hopefully by this evening.  (Joy!)
Lee

Hi again,  I'm looking forward to presenting discussions about fundraising for radicals, and effective strategies for solidarity, once Rising Tide has consensus for me to do that.  I've always had close loving relationships with trans* people. My own relationship with gender is complicated and very personal. I'm not OK with being compelled to discuss that with strangers. Public speaking is hard enough as it is.  I am withdrawing from the April training, and I look forward to a time when we can discuss strategies that will contribute to our work together in solidarity against pipelines.  Thank you, Zoe  PS - You have my permission to pass this statement on to other Rising Tide members.  On 3/3/14, Zoe Blunt <zoeblunt at gmail.com> wrote:  OK, a couple things.   First, I want to know exactly what threats are being made, and who is  making them. Are they threatening to disrupt my presentation? Are they  planning to denounce Rising Tide if you don't denounce me? I'd like  to know so we can figure out the best way forward.   Second, you are correct. I'm not transphobic.   Third, my relationship with DGR is public knowledge and it has been  for a long time. I was connected with them before they were a  movement. A group of organizers asked me to join the original  organizing team back in 2010 or so. I didn't. But I'm listed in the  Wikipedia page as an "influence."   Fourth, we bought a van and gave it to Rising Tide along with a  memorandum of agreement. Has the group seen this memo yet? Here is an  excerpt.   "In order to better coordinate our work, and to present a united front  to our adversaries, FAN and RT resolve to respect each group's  strategies and philosophies, to deliver mutual aid from time to time  depending on availability and need, to refrain from public  denunciations and acts of horizontal hostility, and to make good-faith  efforts to work out differences and conflicts in-house rather than in  public."   If Rising Tide decides it is hypocritical to associate with me, how  will we work together on the caravan?   Last, Toghestiy should know about this. He is going to be presenting  at the April event and he has a strong position about people creating  divisions in the movement.   Thank you,  Zoe 		 	   		  
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