Antifascists Protest Pro-Rape Meetup in NYC

Submitted to It’s Going Down

Even in the wake of misogynist Roosh V’s announced cancellation of his “Make Rape Legal” rallies, activists in New York gathered in Washington Square to protest rape culture. Rumors spread claiming that the Men’s Rights agents would be meeting at a PH-D Rooftop Lounge in the Dream Downtown Hotel at 9th Ave and 16th street.

Though skeptical about the Roosh claims, roughly a hundred people showed up under the arches to condemn his neoomasculinity movement and disrupt any meeting of his followers. Emboldened by recent far-right outbursts and the popularity of the Trump campaign, these reactionary anti-feminists felt the climate was perfect to get off the internet and meet in public.

As social media organizer Kirby Casterline explained to the Daily Dot, “I figured if they thought they’d be free to do that in NYC, I’d do my part to make sure they were sadly mistaken. Roosh and his goons are just a small facet of a huge problem. To combat it, we need people to stand up to it in their everyday lives through agitation, being combative, but also educating. It is up to all of us to counter our misogynistic culture.”

The diverse crowd of protestors shared stories of trauma and healing while wielding signs reading “Smash Patriarchy” and “End Rape Culture.” After speakers shared their experiences calling to stop tolerating sexual violence, organizers informed protestors they would now intercept potential rape advocates at the Dream hotel. Despite a heavy police presence, the march managed to take the street multiple times shutting down traffic. The scene became tense when the march reached the hotel, as protestors crowded the entrance while security formed a wall to prevent them from entering. Meanwhile, NYPD blocked street to keep activists on the sidewalk while simultaneously telling them they were blocking pedestrian traffic.

#NYPD arresting protester at #SmashRapeCulture March! #NYC pic.twitter.com/IZNgAFsiNQ

— Ash J (@AshAgony) February 7, 2016

One protester was arrested during this scuffle. Police backed off after activists protested in picket formation demanding the hotel staff release the men’s rights agents from the building. The activists educated passers-by and other hotel residents about Roosh and the MRA movement while also telling them to complain to the hotel staff. After a few hours of this stalemate, the marchers eventually gathered at Union Square to conclude the action and exchange information to coordinate future anti-rape actions.