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:
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
Forced to cancel my talk at USU after receiving death threats because police wouldn't take steps to prevent concealed firearms at the event.
— Feminist Frequency (@femfreq) October 15, 2014
Requested pat downs or metal detectors after mass shooting threat but because of Utah's open carry laws police wouldn’t do firearm searches.
— Feminist Frequency (@femfreq) October 15, 2014
Multiple specific threats made stating intent to kill me & feminists at USU. For the record one threat did claim affiliation with #gamergate
— Feminist Frequency (@femfreq) October 15, 2014
At this point supporting #gamergate is implicitly supporting the harassment of women in the gaming industry.
— Feminist Frequency (@femfreq) October 15, 2014
I’m safe. I will continue my work. I will continue speaking out. The whole game industry must stand up against the harassment of women.
— Feminist Frequency (@femfreq) October 15, 2014
This is about journalism, right?
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.
Definitely, all about journalism.
And ethics.
And human rights. Don’t forget human rights.
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.
But it’s just satire, right?
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.
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?
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.
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.
Countdown to “she’s faking it” starts now…
The manifesto is aggrieved entitlement at its very worst. I don’t think anything can top it off in its barbarism.
This is how the GamerGaters are reacting thus far.
My personal favorite comment (from a known MRA, natch):
Emphasis mine.
#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.
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.
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
Cloudiah, unbelieveable.
Strike that, it’s completely believable. OF COURSE that’s how they’re going to see this.
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.
I mean the guy who sent that note
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.
Everyone: I’ve made this a NO TROLLS, NO MRAS, NO GAMERGATERS, NO VICTIM BLAMER thread. Email the mods if you see anyone breaking these rules so we can deal with them promptly.
Anita is really brave though. I think I’d have bailed on the project after about the second death/rape threat. Respect.
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.
I support campus concealed carry, but come on. Surely the University would have a No Weapons Allowed policy for the Governor under similar circumstances.
“But remember! That one time the feminists pulled a fire alarm at the Warren Farrell talk. This mans both sides are equally bad!”