'Violent and harmful' views of Roosh V not welcome in Winnipeg, says Mayor Brian Bowman

The views of Roosh V, a U.S. blogger known to preach pro-rape and misogynistic behaviour, are not welcome in Winnipeg, says Mayor Brian Bowman.

Bowman issued a statement on Tuesday afternoon denouncing the views of Roosh V and the website Return of Kings, in advance of a "meet-up" planned for Winnipeg and other Canadian cities this weekend.

"I have no interest in offering a platform for the types of violent and harmful views espoused by Mr. Valizadeh and his organization. I am deeply disturbed by many of his statements and I denounce them unequivocally," Bowman's statement reads in part.

"The Winnipeg Police Service is aware of this organization's intended plans and will be monitoring its activity."

• Read the full statement below

Roosh V, whose real name is Daryush Valizadeh, has attracted outrage through his blog posts, including one advocating that rape be made legal inside a private home, and another suggesting that men seek out women with eating disorders.

Through his blog and speaking appearances, Valizadeh advises men on the best methods to convince women to have sex with them. He is the author of Bang, which he describes as a "textbook for picking up girls."

He also runs the website Return of Kings, which describes itself as an online forum "meant for a small but vocal collection of men in America today who believe men should be masculine and women should be feminine."

Recent posts online suggested meet-ups across Canada on Saturday evening, including one in Winnipeg. A meeting place near the Chapters bookstore at St. Vital Shopping Centre was suggested.

A message posted on Facebook quoted St. Vital mall general manager Cheryl Mazur as saying officials have been "working persistently with our Security team as well as the WPS District 4 Community Support Unit (CSU) to ensure we have the proper precautions and resources available in the event that this meet-up materializes."

"We definitely appreciate your concern regarding this appalling activist group," her message reads in part.

"I can assure you that we are taking appropriate measures to mitigate the potential threats and safety concerns that this group is hoping to elicit."

Bowman's comments follows a similar comment Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson tweeted earlier on Tuesday, as well as condemnation by the mayors of Toronto and Montreal in recent months.

• RooshV and his views not welcome in Ottawa, Mayor Jim Watson tweets
• RooshV not welcome in Toronto, Mayor John Tory says
• ControversialbloggerRooshV not welcome in Montreal, tweets DenisCoderre

Brian Bowman's full statement

All our residents need to feel safe regardless of their gender, sexuality, ethnicity or faith.

In Winnipeg, we embrace tolerance, diversity, acceptance, and a desire to help others.

I have no interest in offering a platform for the types of violent and harmful views espoused by Mr. Valizadeh and his organization. I am deeply disturbed by many of his statements and I denounce them unequivocally.

The Winnipeg Police Service is aware of this organization's intended plans and will be monitoring its activity.