'Return of Kings' cancels 'International Meet Up Day' after widespread criticism

Daryush Valizadeh, leader of Return of Kings Daryush Valizadeh, leader of Return of Kings Photo: Instagram/kingroosh Photo: Instagram/kingroosh Image 1 of / 30 Caption Close 'Return of Kings' cancels 'International Meet Up Day' after widespread criticism 1 / 30 Back to Gallery

A misogynistic group that planned to hold hundreds of rallies around the world, including seven in Texas, announced late Wednesday that it had cancelled the events after international criticism from thousands, including government leaders.

Return of Kings, a group and blog founded by Daryush "Roosh" Valizadeh, who has promoted the legalization of rape in posts online, announced on its website late Wednesday that the "165 meetings in 43 countries" had been cancelled. In Texas, meet ups were planned for San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, Houston, El Paso, Denton and Nederland.

The announcement came on the heels of widespread criticism, ranging from threats on social media to public condemnation from government leaders around the world, focusing on the group's attitude toward women.

RELATED: Group calling for legalization of rape plans rally at Alamo in San Antonio, 6 other Texas cities

Return of Kings includes posts titled "8 Things That Make A Girl Stupid And Useless," "Men Benefit From Acting Potentially Violent And Explosive Around Women" and "Germany Proves That 'Rape Culture' Is Merely A Political Weapon Against Western Men."

Valizadeh, a self-proclaimed "pick-up artist," has published blogs calling for the legalization of rape on private property because he believes it would put a stop to rape.

RELATED: Report: Texas Republican state Rep. on message board: "Rape is non-existent in marriage"

From one of his posts, titled "How to stop rape," published Feb. 16, 2015:

"I propose that we make the violent taking of a woman not punishable by law when done off public grounds... If rape becomes legal under my proposal, a girl will protect her body in the same manner that she protects her purse and smartphone. If rape becomes legal, a girl will not enter an impaired state of mind where she can’t resist being dragged off to a bedroom with a man who she is unsure of—she’ll scream, yell, or kick at his attempt while bystanders are still around. If rape becomes legal, she will never be unchaperoned with a man she doesn’t want to sleep with. After several months of advertising this law throughout the land, rape would be virtually eliminated on the first day it is applied."

Valizadeh on Wednesday tweeted: "the "How To Stop Rape" article was satire. Neither me or my supporters want rape to be legalized. The media is lying."

Several of the cities where sites were planned for the meet up launched protests against the group. Australia's top immigration official called an emergency meeting earlier this week to decide whether to allow Valizadeh into the country.

RELATED: Offensive statements about women made by Return of Kings

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statement Wednesday calling the Return of Kings "disgusting" and "pathetic," and was echoed by other state and local officials.



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Twitter: @KoltenParker