'Rape advocate' event in Shrewsbury sparks fury
A man accused of advocating rape who also claims to offer advice on how to pick up women has organised a supporters' meeting in Shrewsbury.
The event – promoted by self-proclaimed anti-feminist and 'pick-up artist' Daryush Valizadeh – has sparked a number of complaints and fears from people around the county over his extreme views.
Also known as Roosh V, he has helped organise meetings around the world and said that only straight men will be allowed to attend.
He has been accused by his critics of advocating rape and has held secret meetings with men in London where feminism and male rights were discussed. He recently called on supporters to organise meetings in locations around the world for Saturday to all meet at the same time.
One has been organised by a supporter to begin at Frankwell car park in Shrewsbury – but peace and women's rights campaigners plan to stand against it.
This morning Shrewsbury police tweeted:
Valizadeh has tens of thousands of supporters on social media and his website is read by thousands of men all over the world.
He has also published a number of books on Amazon and a petition calling for their removal from the website gathered 236,000 signatures.
He regularly writes articles campaigning against rape laws and the growth of feminism. He has been known to advocate the view to "make rape legal if done on private property" – a comment he claims was "satirical" – and to "stop asking for permission" when it comes to kissing or dancing with a woman.
Valizadeh says the gathering in Shrewsbury will coincide with public meetings in 42 other countries for 'International Meetup Day'. He says the meetings are for "heterosexual men only".
The 'frequently asked questions' page for the event advises attendees that, should a "pretty girl show up and beg to be a fly on the wall", to "get her number and then tell her to buzz off".
The event has led to plans for a counter-demonstration. Calls have been made online for people in Shrewsbury to meet and show their "support for consent, respect and equality".
One organiser, who did not want to be named, said she was a feminist in support of social, political and cultural equality of the sexes.
She said the demonstration would see supporters light the Frankwell footbridge from 8pm to 8.30pm during the controversial meeting as a visual message of support for women and equality, as well as to highlight issues surrounding consent.
She said: "I saw a link to the article about these meet-ups and thought I would get mildly irritated by it. But I did not expect to see my home town listed with the likes of Manchester and London.
"So I shared my disbelief and outrage that there are people in the town that could even consider the views he has, including that rape should be legalised. I think it is hugely damaging to get into both men's and women's heads.
"We had a lot of people talk about the type of response needed and we decided it has to be peaceful and something positive.
"So we are going to bring torches and light the footbridge from 8pm."
The group will meet at the back of Theatre Severn before together walking to the bridge.
Organisers say that, even if the time changes for the Roosh V meeting, the group will still light the bridge. Donations will be welcome in aid of Refuge, a national charity supporting victims of domestic violence.
West Mercia Police has said it is aware of possible protests in the town organised for Saturday, and has assured residents extra patrols will be provided to make sure it remains peaceful.
Mayor of Shrewsbury Town Council Miles Kenny said: "These sorts of people are not welcome in Shrewsbury.
"We have put up the barriers to these sorts of people before and we will do now. We do not want this person here at all and it is not a question of suppressing freedom of speech but a case of expressing hate.
"It is something I am surprised is allowed in this country now as we are going onwards and upwards.
"We do not want him or his supporters here. I don't imagine anyone in Shrewsbury hearing it or following his views and I imagine a lot of people would be more inclined to protest against this kind of meeting.
"Legalising rape is like legalising murder and the rest of it."
Other meetings – according to his website – will take place in at least 43 countries with UK meetings in Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Newcastle, Manchester, Shrewsbury and London.
