To: Dan Green, Acting Chief Executive, Rugby Borough Council

We, the undersigned, are calling for the immediate cancellation of Katie Hopkins’ scheduled appearance at Benn Hall on Saturday 19th July 2025.

Katie Hopkins is not just a “controversial” figure. She is known internationally for spreading hate—including racist, transphobic, Islamophobic, xenophobic, and ableist views. Her public statements have included comparing migrants to “cockroaches,” calling for “gunships” to stop refugees, and even using Nazi-era language to describe the response to terrorism. She has also been found guilty of multiple counts of libel.

This isn’t free speech. This is about public safety and moral responsibility.

It’s especially shocking to discover this is not the first time she has spoken at Benn Hall. In May 2024, a similar event was deliberately concealed from public listings. Now she returns under similar secrecy. This is not just an oversight—it’s a pattern of platforming hate in a council-run, publicly funded space.

---

Why This Matters

Rugby is home to many communities who face hate, exclusion, and systemic inequality—including, people of global majority, disabled people, LGBT+ people, trans and non-binary folk, refugees, asylum seekers, and diverse faith groups.

Many of these individuals have escaped war, suffered persecution, endured physical & psychological torture, or survived extreme poverty only to find the same language used to justify such attrocioius harm being welcomed into our town hall.

Allowing Katie Hopkins a platform in our public venue is not just inappropriate—it is retraumatising, exclusionary, and dangerous. It completely contradicts Rugby Borough Council’s own Equality & Diversity Strategy, and the values of a town that should stand for inclusion.

---

We Demand Rugby Borough Council:

1. Cancel the “Katie Hopkins: Batshit Bonkers Britain” event immediately.

2. Issue a public apology for agreeing to platform her twice in a council-owned venue.

3. Review and strengthen venue hire policies and procedures to stop known hate speakers accessing public buildings, and to identify whether any proposed future bookings fully align with the councils own values.

4. Publicly recommit to and continue efforts to expand the Council’s Equality Strategy to include specific protections for refugees, migrants, trans, and non-binary people.

5. Expand direct consultation efforts with relevant community-led groups and equality organisations to gain understanding and perspective on why the council must ensure this does not happen again.

---

If No Action Is Taken Within 14 Days Of The Katie Hopkins Event, I Support Stand Up To Racism In:

Launching a local and national media campaign highlighting the Council’s failure to act.

Attend and/promote a peaceful protest bring held outside Benn Hall on the night of the Katie Hopkins: Batshit, Bonkers Britain event.

Contact trade unions, event promoters, suppliers, relevant businesses & sponsors, and cultural partners urging disassociation from Benn Hall.

File a formal complaint with the Local Government Ombudsman for potential breach of the Public Sector Equality Duty.

---

This is not a threat—it’s a plea from communities who are tired of being ignored until harm is already done.

We are asking Rugby Borough Council to show the leadership and compassion this moment demands.

There is no place for hate in our town.

Not in our name. Not in our venue. Not now. Not ever.

We look forward to receiving confirmation that this event, and any such like it will not be appearing in the programmed Benn Hall event lineup this year, or indeed at any point ever again, very soon.