Canadian mayors are speaking out as followers of Daryush Valizadeh, a U.S. blogger calling for the legalization of rape, plan gatherings in cities across the country this weekend.
Valizadeh, a self-described pickup artist who goes by Roosh V, has made enemies around the world for his notorious views, which include a belief that rape should be legal on private property.
“Women will be more careful with their bodies and not go into the private rooms of men they don’t want to have sex with,” Valizadeh says in a video on his YouTube page.
He also promotes a worldview dubbed “neomasculinity,” which measures women's value on their beauty and fertility alone.
His appearances and the gatherings of his followers frequently inspire pushback from politicians and the public, and this weekend’s events – planned at 10 Canadian cities, including Vancouver, Surrey and Victoria – are no exception.
“I know many Vancouverites would be very disappointed to hear that group meeting here,” Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson said. “The values they have put out there are disgusting and frankly hate-based, so I have real concerns about that happening.”
Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson went even further, tweeting that Valizadeh’s “pro-rape, misogynistic, homophobic garbage is not welcome in Ottawa.”
Valizadeh’s notorious events have been known to use code words and secret locations. Local followers, if any exist, are expected to meet at Library Square in Vancouver this weekend before heading to another undisclosed spot.
Protesters are planning to gather at the library as well to spread the message that Valizadeh’s views have potential real-world consequences for women.
“He’s not simply a misogynist thought criminal,” organizer Emily Monaghan said. “He’s advocating for something that can seriously harm women in real life.”
The protesters said they’re not trying to muzzle anyone, but if his followers have a right to free speech, then they have a right to counter it.
Co-organizer Jennifer Kim said they don’t expect to see a very big crowd anyway.
“Most of these guys are cowards,” Kim said. “They’re keyboard warriors and they’re sexually frustrated.”
Last summer, a petition to ban Valizadeh from entering Canada failed. Opponents instead picketed his appearances in Toronto and Montreal, where one critic was filmed throwing a drink on him at a bar.
With a report from CTV Vancouver’s Scott Roberts