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Anita Sarkeesian Cancels Talk at Utah State After Receiving Threat of Another "Montreal Massacre." [UPDATED with more info from Sarkeesian]

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Utah State University has just announced that Anita Sarkeesian has canceled a talk she was scheduled to give at the school tomorrow after receiving a threat of a “Montreal Massacre-style attack” by someone promising ““the deadliest school shooting in American history” if the cultural critic was allowed to speak.

Here’s the official announcement:

Anita Sarkeesian has canceled her scheduled speech for tomorrow following a discussion with Utah State University police regarding an email threat that was sent to Utah State University. During the discussion, Sarkeesian asked if weapons will be permitted at the speaking venue. Sarkeesian was informed that, in accordance with the State of Utah law regarding the carrying of firearms, if a person has a valid concealed firearm permit and is carrying a weapon, they are permitted to have it at the venue.

Emphasis added. That’s right: the school received threats from someone promising to shoot people at a public event, but because of Utah’s gun laws, authorities would not be able to prohibit audience members from BRINGING GUNS to the talk.

Before learning that this was the case, Sarkeesian — after consulting with authorities — had planned to go ahead with the talk. As a spokesman for the school told the Standard Examiner, a northern Utah newspaper:

“They determined the threat seems to be consistent with ones (Sarkeesian) has received at other places around the nation. … The threat we received is not out of the norm for (this woman).”

The email threat came from someone who claimed that “feminists have ruined my life and I will have my revenge, for my sake and the sake of all the others they’ve wronged.”

The email, sent to several campus officials and posted online by the Standard Examiner, warned:

If you do not cancel [Sarkeesian’s] talk, a Montreal Massacre style attack will be carried out against the attendees, as well as students and staff at the nearby women’s center. I have at my disposal a semi-automatic rifle, multiple pistols, and a collection of pipe bombs. This will be the deadliest school shooting in American history and I’m giving you a chance to stop it.

The email writer claimed that even if authorities manage to stop him from an attack at the event,

There are plenty of feminists on campus who won;t be able to defend themselves. One way or another, I’m going to make sure they die. …

Anita Sarkeesian is everything wrong with the feminist woman, and she is going to die screaming like the craven little whore that she is if you let her come to USU. I will write my manifesto in her spilled blood, and you will all bear witness to what feminist lies and poison have done to the men of America.

All this because she made some videos discussing sexism in fucking video games.

Here’s a screenshot of the full email, from the Standard Examiner site:

 

Screenshot posted by the Standard Examiner
Screenshot posted by the Standard Examiner

I’m speechless. What the fuck is wrong with these people?

NOTE: This is a NO TROLLS, NO MRAS, NO GAMERGATERS, NO VICTIM BLAMER thread. I will delete comments and ban people who do not respect the rules.

UPDATE: Sarkeesian has provied more details on Twitter; there were multiple threats, including one that specifically referred to GamerGate

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Bostonian
9 years ago

This is about journalism, right?

seleukosnicator10
9 years ago

I was just made aware of this myself. One of my subscribers on YouTube linked me the letter and the story. Just remember though this isn’t about hate.

chaltab
chaltab
9 years ago

Definitely, all about journalism.

cloudiah
9 years ago

This is about journalism, right?

And ethics.

And human rights. Don’t forget human rights.

Aunt Edna
Aunt Edna
9 years ago

So, MRA, here is your chance to prove your human rights bona fides by condemning such terrorist tactics and issuing a statement of support toward Sarkeesian and any women whose rights, including to those of free speech, not to mention life, are being threatened in such a vile manner.

Yeah, I know.

hippodameia8527
hippodameia8527
9 years ago

But it’s just satire, right?

Policy of Madness
Policy of Madness
9 years ago

Holy crap. Well, I wish she hadn’t been forced to cancel by that stupid, stupid rule, but of course she’s doing the right thing to maintain as much safety as she can.

I hope they’re tracking this idiot down. If it was posted from campus, hopefully USU IT can uncover who was logged into the account from which it was sent.

moop
moop
9 years ago

Is it possible for her to do a webinar, so there is no public gathering of people? Or does she risk having that ruined by hacking?

MidiMira
MidiMira
9 years ago

How does the dude that wrote this think he won’t have law enforcement on his case? Okay, yes she gets these kinds of threats all the time (and how messed up is that), but a lot of people are incredibly afraid of school shootings and this letter was made public. There are probably lots of parents calling the school to complain already.

Policy of Madness
Policy of Madness
9 years ago

I look forward to the GGers issuing denouncements of this terrorist threat, given that a manifesto was recently released declaring that they totes denounce threats and harassment.

HCK
HCK
9 years ago

Countdown to “she’s faking it” starts now…

Bogdan Cvetkovic
9 years ago

The manifesto is aggrieved entitlement at its very worst. I don’t think anything can top it off in its barbarism.

cloudiah
9 years ago

This is how the GamerGaters are reacting thus far.

My personal favorite comment (from a known MRA, natch):

the last thing we need is another Marc Lepine. Such an act of violence would be a crushing setback for men everywhere.

Emphasis mine.

justabrowngirl
9 years ago

#notallgamers! This is not about hating woman…Is about integrity blah blah blah.

I don’t blame her for not attending, one of these asshat might show up with a concealed weapon and try to harm her.

ceebarks
ceebarks
9 years ago

Terrible. I also hope the university makes a very concerted effort to track down whoever sent in this threat. And yes, “it’s about ethics!” God.

fruitloopsie
fruitloopsie
9 years ago

It amazes me on how women speaking up and wanting to be treated like people is SO TERRIFYING to men that it makes them want to murder people. #notallmen

fruitloopsie
fruitloopsie
9 years ago

Cloudiah
“Forget that Anita is in danger and could lose her life, we have to protect our image”

I do hope that they catch him and put him in jail.

fruitloopsie
fruitloopsie
9 years ago

I mean the guy who sent that note

becausescience
becausescience
9 years ago

So YET ANOTHER anti-feminist is threatening to murder innocent people if he doesn’t get his way. This time the anti-feminist is threatening to commit acts of domestic terrorism because a woman made videos criticizing sexism in video games. Last time it was because conventionally attractive women wouldn’t give him the sex he thought he was entitled to. It’s almost like anti-feminism tends to appeal to violent, abusive men, and radicalizes them by providing them with both a target (women/feminists), and an escalating list of perceived grievances that they can use as justification for striking aback at their target through any and all means, up to and including violence.

ceebarks
ceebarks
9 years ago

Anita is really brave though. I think I’d have bailed on the project after about the second death/rape threat. Respect.

Johanna Roberts
9 years ago

I’m upset that she had to cancel, but it’s the fault of some truly backwards gun laws and not an actual choice, it seems like. I hope she stays safe and that they catch the asshat who sent that. And of course, all afternoon, I’ve had gamergaters telling me that I’m wrong for thinking it’s about hating women.

maxomai
9 years ago

I support campus concealed carry, but come on. Surely the University would have a No Weapons Allowed policy for the Governor under similar circumstances.

becausescience
becausescience
9 years ago

“But remember! That one time the feminists pulled a fire alarm at the Warren Farrell talk. This mans both sides are equally bad!”

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