The UNM Bookstore was one of dozens of locations worldwide that was going to serve as a rendezvous for Saturday’s International Meetup Day, an event organized by an individual who styles himself as a believer of “neomasculinity” for his followers to meet in the hopes of creating “tribes” in various cities.
Daryush “Roosh V” Valizadeh has an online presence through his blog and heading of his “Return of Kings” website, which “aims to usher the return of the masculine man in a world where masculinity is being increasingly punished and shamed for creating a ... society that allows women to assert superiority and control over men,” according to its information page.
On his blog, Valizadeh said he hoped to use his presence and influence to unite his followers through what was to be Saturday’s covert event, which will be held in over 40 countries. On his returnofkings.com website, Valizadeh listed meeting areas for each city and instructed his followers to inquire of people whether they knew where the nearest pet shop was as a method of identifying other “followers” around 8 p.m. local time.
That person would have then been taken to another secret meeting location.
According to a FAQ on his blog, Valizadeh says the meeting was to be for heterosexual men only.
Valizadeh stated on his blog that his hope is for “tribes” of individuals who have the same beliefs he does to form in these cities; that way, if gets “shut down for whatever reason, the tribes will be able to continue operation.”
The event has since been cancelled, after Valizadeh blogged Wednesday evening that he was concerned about the safety and privacy of his followers.
“I apologize to all my supporters who are let down by my decision,” he stated.
Valizadeh’s beliefs and ideals – which he has outlined not only on his blog but several books – has generated a substantial amount of public outcry worldwide, particularly for his suggestions that the only way to deter rape is to make it legal on private property.
Several government officials have already stated opposition to Valizadeh and his philosophies, which are based around specifically defined gender roles for men and women. Toronto City Councilor Norm Kelly tweeted on Tuesday that Valizadeh is not welcome in the city, and a female boxing group in Toronto was planning on “challenging” any of Valizadeh’s followers if they appeared at the meeting.
Before making the decision to officially cancel Saturday’s event, Valizadeh blogged that he would “exact furious retribution upon anyone who challenges (his followers) in public on (Saturday) ...we have finally arrived.”
Several tweeted about the local event that would have happened at the UNM Bookstore -- primarily to warn people -- including someone who tweeted on Friday “UNM LADIES! A dangerous, ‘neomasculine’ group will be meeting in front of the Bookstore on Feb. 6 in the evening. Pls stay away and RT!”
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David Lynch is the managing editor at the Daily Lobo. Contact him at managingeditor@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @RealDavidLynch.
