An international Return of Kings meetup day is scheduled to take place in 43 countries around the globe, including 10 Canadian cities, on Saturday.
On Tuesday, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson took to Twitter to publically tell the men’s rights activists that their “pro-rape, misogynistic, homophobic garbage is not welcome in Ottawa.”
.@ReturnofKings Your pro-rape, misogynistic, homophobic garbage is not welcome in Ottawa #its2016 #TurnAwayReturnOfKings
— Jim Watson (@JimWatsonOttawa) February 2, 2016
Watson is also asking venues in the city to deny renting space to the group to hold the meetup.
A number of other Canadian mayors quickly followed suit and decried the meetings.
What he said. Goes double for Calgary. Thanks for your leadership on this, Jim.
Jim Watson on Twitter
— Naheed Nenshi (@nenshi) February 2, 2016
No place for intolerance, hatred & misogyny in Toronto. I'm with you @nenshi @jimwatsonottawa #TurnAwayReturnofKings
Naheed Nenshi on Twitter
— John Tory (@JohnTory) February 2, 2016
#Wpg has no place for the violent views espoused by @ReturnOfKings. Deeply disturbed by Mr Valizadeh's statements #TurnAwayReturnOfKings 1/2
— Mayor Brian Bowman (@Mayor_Bowman) February 2, 2016
#TurnAwayReturnOfKings pic.twitter.com/0v2xbNCr47
— Van Mayor's Office (@VanMayorsOffice) February 2, 2016
Hatred and misogyny have absolutely no place in Vancouver or anywhere else in this world #TurnAwayReturnOfKings
Jim Watson on Twitter
— Gregor Robertson (@MayorGregor) February 3, 2016
Watson is also asking venues in the city to deny renting space to the group to hold the meetup.
A number of other Canadian mayors quickly followed suit and decried the meetings.