A planned meet up of men with pro-rape and misogynistic behaviour at the legislature this weekend is being told their view are not welcome in Victoria.
Return of Kings is a blog for heterosexual, masculine men and, according to the website, meant “for a small but vocal collection of men in America today who believe men should be masculine and women should be feminine.”
The site is run by blogger Roosh Valizadeh, whose real name is Daryush Valizadeh. He’s written a number of blog posts titled “Men should start recording sex with a hidden camera,” “Why women shouldn’t work,” and “Women must have their behavior and decisions controlled by men.”
On Saturday, Feb. 6, the group has planned 165 meetings in 43 countries, including one in Victoria.
City Coun. Jeremy Loveday is calling the group’s proposed meet-up “disgusting.”
“I think that type of hatred and misogyny has no place in Victoria,” said Loveday, adding he’s received a number of emails from women saying they don’t feel safe with this type of event planned. “That type of discourse has no redeeming value.”
The meeting is set to take place outside the B.C. legislature by the war memorial. It is in a public place, therefore city council does not have the authority to disallow the group’s use of the space.
Victoria police said they have heard concerns from members of the community and are “keeping a watchful eye towards keeping everyone safe.”
Loveday hopes the event will be used as a spring board to end violence against women. He also put a call out on Twitter to mayors to see how elected officials can be leaders in fostering discussions about masculinity, ending violence against women and rape culture.
“We need to find other avenues to discuss issues that are facing men in our society and discuss some of the negative feelings that people have and turn them into inclusion,” Loveday said, adding he doesn’t believe anyone will even show up to the event.
