Ban Roosh V from Making Canadian Appearances

To the Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay, Minister of Justice and Attorney General,

It has recently come to our attention that a pick-up artist who goes by the name of Roosh V is planning two tour stops in Montreal and Toronto on August 8th and August 15th, respectively. We would like to call for Roosh V to be banned from making Canadian appearances and to be listed as "unwelcome" in Canada.

Roosh V is a highly controversial and misogynistic pick-up artist who resides in Ukraine. He claims that his work aims to teach male society about the decline in western traditional morals, and he is considered by many countries to be a leading voice in cases of gender hate and extremism. One of his writings, a piece entitled, "How to Stop Rape", calls for the decriminalization of rape on private property. He claims that the legalization of rape would cause women to be more protective of their bodies and create accountability for their actions. You can see this article by clicking on the link here.

In late 2014, a petition banned pick-up artist Julien Blanc from Canada. Blanc's misogynistic views, as well as his methodology of using force as a vehicle to get women to sleep with men, is not far from Roosh V's own platform. The outcry against Blanc in Canada is indication that Canadian citizens will no longer tolerate behavior that seeks to discriminate or violate women in any capacity.

Recent events have offered hope. The firing of a Hydro One employee who was caught on camera laughing at a demeaning comment to a female news reporter has proven that Canada is ready to become a forerunner in anti gender discrimination. As we work for a stronger, more equal society, it must be noted that bullying dealt by the hands of people like Roosh V is insidious and cannot be tolerated.

As Minister of Justice and Attorney General, we urge you to help Canadian women feel safer. By taking a stand against Roosh V, you are supporting millions of Canadian women who fight daily to be loved, appreciated, and respected. Equal gender treatment worldwide can start with our country's example, our country's ability to say "no" to any person that threatens the security of our citizens. The basis of our Canadian identity has always been compassion, and a move to stop Roosh V's campaign of gender hate would serve as a shining example to citizens worldwide.

As women, feminists, and proud Canadians, we ask for your kind consideration in this matter. The gratitude of all Canadian women would be evident in your response.

Thank you.