The Northeast Conference on Science & Skepticism has withdrawn their invitation to have Richard Dawkins speak at their conference after sharing a “highly offensive” video. They didn’t specify the video, but it was likely the awful YouTube video that Dawkins shared right before this happened that compared feminists to terrorists.

Here is the full statement from the NECSS:

The Northeast Conference on Science & Skepticism has withdrawn its invitation to Richard Dawkins to participate at NECSS 2016. We have taken this action in response to Dr. Dawkins’ approving re-tweet of a highly offensive video. We believe strongly in freedom of speech and freedom to express unpopular, and even offensive, views. However, unnecessarily divisive, counterproductive, and even hateful speech runs contrary to our mission and the environment we wish to foster at NECSS. The sentiments expressed in the video do not represent the values of NECSS or its sponsoring organizations. We will issue a full refund to any NECSS attendee who wishes to cancel their registration due to this announcement. The NECSS Team

Dawkins did delete his tweet of the video once he realized a woman in it was threatened with violence. He then went on to say that violent threats are never okay, which was nice to see.

Importantly, this situation goes way beyond Richard Dawkins. It is an example of the atheist/skeptic movement explicitly condemning misogyny, which is encouraging. No one is trying to censor speech, but if you share hateful stuff, there will be consequences.

[Featured image from Wikipedia]

Follow me on Facebook to keep up with my writing and other work!