Roosh V and his views not welcome in Ottawa, Mayor Jim Watson tweets
CBC News | Posted: February 2, 2016 2:43 PM | Last Updated: February 2, 2016
'Hate groups are not welcome in city buildings,' Watson tweets after reports of Ottawa meet-up
The views of a U.S. blogger known to preach pro-rape and misogynistic behaviour are not welcome in Ottawa, Mayor Jim Watson tweeted today in response to reports of a meeting of the blogger's supporters.
Roosh V, whose real name is Daryush Valizadeh, has attracted outrage through his blog, including one post advocating that rape be made legal inside a private home, and another suggesting that men seek out women with eating disorders.
- Roosh V not welcome in Toronto, mayor says
- 'Violent and harmful' views of Roosh V not welcome in Winnipeg, mayor says
- Controversial blogger Roosh V not welcome in Montreal, mayor says
Through his blog and speaking appearances, Valizadeh advises men on the best methods to convince women to have sex with them. He is the author of Bang, which he describes as a "textbook for picking up girls."
He also runs the website Return of Kings, which describes itself as an online forum "meant for a small but vocal collection of men in America today who believe men should be masculine and women should be feminine."
A recent post online suggested a meet-up could take place in Ottawa at Arts Court this Saturday evening, which pushed Watson to tweet strong criticism at Roosh V.
Watson later told reporters at City Hall that he's instructed staff to deny renting city facilities for a Return of Kings meet-up.
"Our policies are that we don't allow people who promote hate to use our facilities so that was the direction that I gave to staff," he said, adding that he asked Ottawa-Vanier Coun. Mathieu Fleury to encourage private halls in the ByWard Market and Lowertown to turn the group away.
Last summer, Toronto Mayor John Tory and city Coun. Norm Kelly both tweeted at Roosh V, telling him he was not welcome in the Ontario capital.
An appearance in Montreal last August also drew protests and a petition of more than 40,000 signatures arguing that Roosh V should not be allowed to cross the border into Canada.
His original conference venue was cancelled, he had a beer thrown in his face, and he was named and shamed while having a coffee on St-Denis. His appearance was also condemned by Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre.