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A pro-rape blogger says he has cancelled planned rallies in Canada and around the world because of safety concerns.
Return of Kings, which is a website run by blogger Roosh Valizadeh, has announced that rallies, which were planned for February 6th have been cancelled. In a statement on his blog, Valizadeh posted the following:
“I can no longer guarantee the safety or privacy of the men who want to attend on February 6, especially since most of the meetups can not be made private in time. While I can’t stop men who want to continue meeting in private groups, there will be no official Return Of Kings meetups. The listing page has been scrubbed of all locations. I apologize to all the supporters who are let down by my decision.”
The group faced massive backlash in Canada, as planned rallies had mayors in major cities speaking out about the violent views expressed by Valizadeh. The group had planned rallies in Victoria, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Calgary, and more.
Mayors from these cities took to social media to express their concerns over the hatred and misogyny expressed by Valizadeh in the past. The controversial U.S. blogger has published material suggesting that rape inside a private home should be legal and he preaches something called “neomasculinity,” which supports traditional gender roles. This includes that a woman’s value “significantly depends on her fertility and beauty” and nothing more.
The meetings, which were scheduled to take place in 43 countries, encouraged only heterosexual men to attend. In the ‘frequently asked questions’ section of the website about the meetings, Valizadeh encourages attendees to not bring women, and if one shows up to “get her number and then tell her to buzz off.”
Statement from Chief Supt. Bill Fordy: “Surrey RCMP is aware of the “Return of Kings” meeting that has reportedly been...
Posted by Surrey RCMP on Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Statements regarding the planned meetings have also been released by B.C. RCMP forces including Surrey’s Chief Supt. Bill Fordy. Fordy says that while freedom of speech is a part of Canada’s Charter of Rights, sex without consent is illegal. Many people are using the hashtag #turnawayreturnofkings on social media to express their outrage against the group.
With you too! MT @JohnTory: No place for intolerance, hatred, misogyny in Toronto. With you @nenshi @jimwatsonottawa #TurnAwayReturnofKings
— Lisa Helps (@lisahelps) February 3, 2016
What he said. Goes double for Calgary. Thanks for your leadership on this, Jim. https://t.co/xyD7T1o1wA
— Naheed Nenshi (@nenshi) February 2, 2016
No place for intolerance, hatred & misogyny in Toronto. I'm with you @nenshi @jimwatsonottawa #TurnAwayReturnofKings https://t.co/ys8FWjN8js
— John Tory (@JohnTory) February 2, 2016
.@ReturnofKings Your pro-rape, misogynistic, homophobic garbage is not welcome in Ottawa #its2016 #TurnAwayReturnOfKings
— Jim Watson (@JimWatsonOttawa) February 2, 2016
Hatred and misogyny have absolutely no place in Vancouver or anywhere else in this world #TurnAwayReturnOfKings https://t.co/Xlbia4YjfH
— Gregor Robertson (@MayorGregor) February 3, 2016
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