A controversial group led by a self-styled pickup artist who has promoted the legalization of rape is planning meetups in several Canadian cities – including Victoria.
Daryush Valizadeh, also known as Roosh V, is a U.S. blogger who shares anti-feminist views on his website Return of Kings.
A recent post on the site says he is organizing meetups for like-minded heterosexual man in cities across the world Feb. 6 at 8 p.m. local time.
The meeting point in Victoria is listed as the cenotaph at the B.C. Legislature, and the group will then move to a second location.
It’s unclear how many people will attend the event.
There have been petitions and protests in the past aimed at keeping Roosh V out of Canada, and several protests are in the works for the upcoming meet-up.
Victoria city councillor Jeremy Loveday said Tuesday any group that advocates misogyny is not welcome.
#yyj listed as 1 location of INTL. anti-woman meetup.While I don't want to lend publicity I want to be clear: Misogyny is not welcome here!
— Jeremy Loveday (@JeremyLoveday) February 2, 2016
Police in the city say they’ve been receiving plenty of tweets and emails from concerned residents.
“We’re keeping a watchful eye towards keeping everyone safe,” said a tweet from the Victoria Police account.
Critics were quick to slam the planned event on social media, with some wondering if it was all just a ruse.
“Wow, are these guys serious?” one person wrote. “Can we have a ‘point at bigots and laugh’ meet-up at the same time and place, please?”
A post from the controversial blogger last year suggested legalizing rape on private property would discourage women from entering a private dwelling with a “man she doesn’t know or trust.”
Canadian mayors including Vancouver’s Gregor Robertson have also denounced the planned meetups in their cities.
