A pro-trans campaign group is paying for Instagram adverts targeting JK Rowling in a bid to pressure Sadiq Khan into scrapping Harry Potter-themed Christmas lights on London’s Oxford Street.
Good Law Project, founded by barrister Jolyon Maugham, is running a series of adverts claiming Rowling has promised to use proceeds from the forthcoming Harry Potter television series to fund the “anti-trans rights movement”.
However [Un]Captured has been unable to find evidence that the bestselling author has made such a pledge.
Four versions of the advert are currently running. They direct users to a campaign website where supporters can authorise Good Law Project to send a pre-written email to the Mayor of London on their behalf.
One advert depicts Sadiq Khan declaring: “Trans people, this city is yours too… except this Christmas”, with JK Rowling replying: “Hehehe! No one can escape the horrors of Harry Potter!”
Another asks: “So why is he allowing one of the most famous anti-trans people in the world to take over Oxford Street?”
The email makes a slightly different allegation, claiming Rowling has “boasted” that some of the money she makes from the Harry Potter franchise will go directly towards her “anti-trans campaign”.
It urges Khan to withdraw City Hall’s support for the Christmas lights and replace them with a display that is “welcoming and safe for everybody”.
According to Good Law Project’s website, more than 5,000 emails have been sent through the campaign. The adverts have been running for around 24 hours.
City Hall, however, says neither the Mayor nor the Oxford Street Development Corporation organises the festive display.
A spokesperson for the Mayor said: “The Christmas lights on Oxford Street are not arranged by the Mayor or the Oxford Street Development Corporation, and this is a matter for the New West End Company and local businesses.
“The Mayor is clear that he will always support and champion all of London’s diverse communities, including trans and non-binary Londoners.”
JK Rowling’s office told [Un]Captured the Harry Potter author would not be making a press comment but referred [Un]Captured to the J.K. Rowling Women’s Fund, explaining that it does not fund “anti trans rights” activities.
Instead, the fund supports women taking legal action to preserve their existing rights under the Equality Act 2010, as clarified by the Supreme Court judgment in the For Women Scotland case.
That is a rather different proposition from the claims made in Good Law Project’s adverts, on its website and in the more than 5,000 emails reportedly sent through its campaign, alleging that Rowling has promised to use future Harry Potter earnings to fund an “anti-trans rights movement”.
The campaign raises questions about a legal campaigning organisation paying to amplify an allegation about a public figure that it has yet to substantiate, while encouraging supporters to send emails repeating a related claim.
It also raise questions about compliance with Meta’s advertising standards and its policies on misinformation, bullying and harassment, which also recognise greater freedom to criticise public figures.
Good Law Project was approached for comment.
