Misogynistic Group Cancels Tampa Meeting

TAMPA, FL — A blogger with views that have been characterized as misogynistic and pro-rape by some has cancelled a series of meetups across the country and elsewhere, citing security reasons.

The “International Return of Kings Meetup Day” was set to take place locally at Tampa’s Curtis Hixon park. Daryush “Roosh V” Valizadeh, however, announced late Wednesday the events were being called off as international criticism grew.

“I can no longer guarantee the safety or privacy of the men who want to attend on February 6,” Valizadeh wrote on the Return of Kings website. “I apologize to all the supporters who are let down by my decision.”

Return of Kings describes itself as a blog that’s meant for “a small but vocal collection of men in America today who believe men should be masculine and women should be feminine.”

Valizadeh has drawn international criticism for his “neomasculine” beliefs that some say promote rape.

The meetups were intended to take place at 165 locations across the globe on Saturday.

Plans for the Tampa meetup caught the attention of the police department and the University of Tampa, both of which said they intended to monitor activities.

Mayor Bob Buckhorn also issued a statement about the meetup.

“As the father of two girls and a mayor of a city that has no room for this vile rhetoric, I’m disgusted that a group such as the Return of Kings would congregate in Curtis Hixon,” he said. “Their twisted logic and violent and vulgar behavior has no place in this world, let alone Tampa.”

Other Florida meetings were set to take place in Orlando and West Palm Beach.

City of Tampa Facebook photo