Feminist cancels USU talk after guns allowed despite death threat

[KamaAina]

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/58521856-78/video-feminist-sarkeesian-women.html.csp

Anita Sarkeesian has shown up for speaking engagements amidst terror threats before.

But after learning that Utah State University was legally forbidden from restricting firearms at a Wednesday lecture over which she received a death threat, the nationally-known feminist writer and video game critic canceled her appearance.

"Sarkeesian asked if weapons will be permitted at the speaking venue," according to a statement released late Tuesday by USU. "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."

Sarkeesian confirmed, via Tweet: "Forced to cancel my talk at USU after receiving death threats because police wouldn’t take steps to prevent concealed firearms at the event."

[Bjorn Against]

1. Concealed carry makes everyone less safe

It is time that people started standing up to the NRA and their ignorant followers, they claim to be defending themselves but they are really putting everyone else in danger.

[Eleanors38]

2. Was the "threat" by USU officials to prevent guns at the venue,

or a threat by another actor (on Inet, phone, letter, in-person)? If Sarkeesian has spoken before under some threat, why would it make a difference at USU where the carry law has been in effect for some time? Did she not know the state's law beforehand?

[Fumesucker]

3. I suspect that the person does not live in Utah and is not familiar with their laws

Why would she be?

[Eleanors38]

4. If one is threatened regularly, as she claims, then

it would behoove her to know some of the laws affecting her safety. Has she demanded screening devices at other venues where she has been threatened? Those who act out murderous intent can be anywhere, laws or not.

[CTyankee]

6. I would counsel you against blaming the (potential) victim here.

[Eleanors38]

78. She is a "victim" by threat many times by her account...

Only at USU has she chosen to take further action which seems peculiar: She Did Not ask for screening at other venues. It's not about blame. I question this strange singling out.

[CTyankee]

86. But did you review this particular threat? I stress this because I just went over it again and

it appears to be very explicit about what this guy wanted to do to her.

It is chilling.

[Eleanors38]

87. I quite agree. And USU should have provided extra security,

not the magic wand: It would have weeded out only illegal arms bearers. The legals could not have been barred. I don't know if that would have been acceptable to her.

Was this threat to her worse than the others? I don't know.

[bvf]

99. Hm.

"Was this threat to her worse than the others? I don't know."

If you don't know, why the insistence on questioning her actions?

Perhaps you feel she should have taken the USU stage with a couple of concealed guns of her own. But I don't know.

[Politicalboi]

102. She could shoot the bad guys with guns

Bang! Bang! They're dead. Good idea. LOL! That would solve everything. I can't believe how some don't mind trampling the rights of others just to have Precious by their side. Welcome to 19th Century America Yee Haw! This is only going to get worse if the GOP takes over. Not a chance for sane gun laws in sight.

[Eleanors38]

115. Gun laws are what they are in large measure due to the tenor and tone of your remarks.

I'm sure you know that, as your allusion to GOP "take over" suggests.

[Eleanors38]

114. It should be obvious...

If the threat IS more extreme, that would justify extra security by LEO. If the threat is similar to the others, and she spoke at these functions, and security procedures were adequate for her, then the cancellation might be for other reasons.

I think the threats are reprehensible, and should be pursued and prosecuted. I am puzzled as to why she cancelled This engagement.

[bvf]

100. Why the quotes around "victim" here? n/t.

[Eleanors38]

116. I only read an unattributed (in a news source) statement as to past threats.

What stands out is why this threat prompted her cancellation; guns can be taken into any setting, lawful or unlawful, something she is surely aware of. I do think LEO should have taken additional measures (including screening for illegal gun holders), but they cannot abrogate the law, whether at LEO's request or at her request.

[Fumesucker]

7. When she learned of the law she took appropriate steps

[Eleanors38]

79. Why were "appropriate steps" not taken at other venues

where she -- by her account -- was threatened?

[bettyellen]

14. FYI: the threats against her have been verified by LEO why do you claim" there is an "If" involved

here- casting aspersions on this woman instead of reading the detail of the threat for a mass shooting. You might understand then why this threat was taken more seriously than those in the past.
Noted how you'd like to cast suspicion on the victim here.

[Eleanors38]

80. Please see #78 & #79. All the more reason if the other

Last edited Wed Oct 15, 2014, 07:06 PM - Edit history (1)

Threats at other venues have been confirmed to ask: Why the cancellation at USU? Shouldn't the same measures have been requested at these?

I don't question the existence of the threats; I question the singularity of her USU action. So the blame-the-victim accusation doesn't hold water.

EDIT to add please see #82.

[lunasun]

63. K

[seaglass]

5. The threat was supposedly from a student - could have been anyone but the school took it

seriously as they should. Pretty disgusting that they couldn't prevent attendees from carrying guns.

Oct. 14, 4 p.m.


http://www.usu.edu/ust/index.cfm?article=54178

A number of personnel at Utah State University received an email regarding the scheduled presentation by Anita Sarkeesian tomorrow, October 15, 2014, at USU's Taggart Student Center. The email contained threats to Sarkeesian and those who attend her presentation.


Utah State University police is coordinating the threat information with other local, state and federal agencies, including the Utah Statewide Information and Analysis Center, the FBI Cyber Terrorism Task Force, and the FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit. After a careful assessment of the threat it has been determined it is similar to other threats that Sarkeesian has received in the past, and all university business will be conducted as scheduled tomorrow.



Sarkeesian’s talk will go ahead as scheduled, and we are taking every precaution to ensure the safety of our students. Prior to the threat, Utah State University police were already making preparations for security as the speaker had received similar threats in the past. Enhanced security measures will now be in place, which include prohibiting backpacks and any large bags.

This is the sicko's threat:
http://www.gameranx.com/updates/id/24692/article/terror-threat-targets-video-game-critic-anita-sarkeesian-at-usu/

Today, Utah State University confirmed with Standard Examiner that they received an anonymous terror threat via email from one of its own students promising “the deadliest school shooting in American history” if the school went ahead with an event featuring the prominent feminist game critic, who’s best known for her “Tropes Against Women in Video Games” series of educational videos.

According to SE, the author claiming to be a USU student wrote 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.”

[seabeyond]

9. thank you for this info that takes it beyond the.... move along, nothing to see.

good. lets see how this goes. it is important.

[seaglass]

10. I truly don't know wtf is wrong with these people. They need to put the games and guns down and

seek help. Not fit for society in any way.

[seabeyond]

12. too many of them. too many being fed this is acceptable. their own rational, and they have too

many standing with them, in this. feeding them.

[BrotherIvan]

22. So fucking typical

First thought: "my guns." This woman has been threatened with "a massacre" if she spoke about video games, for chrisssakes. And now because she asked that paranoid gun nuts can't carry their precious guns into an auditorium full of people and put her in fear for her life, she is somehow to blame. Or, as you imply, she's making it up, because guns are so safe and every whacko in this country should have one.

FEAR. That's the real goal isn't it? Those who need to carry guns everywhere--schools, churches, hospitals, grocery stores, university campuses--are so afraid of living that they make sure that everyone is just as afraid. Congratulations, you have succeeded beautifully.

[seabeyond]

45. yup. perfect. i am saying with a lot fewer words and effort. yes. thank you for spelling it out.

it is a sad day that it needs to be spelled out.

[Eleanors38]

82. "If"/"then" is not questioning the threats, it is posing a question.

All the MORE reason to ask when the threats are confirmed and a matter of record. What do you think? Was the USU threat worse than the other threats? Maybe it was.

[bettyellen]

109. Yep, 110%- casting aspersions on this woman is bullshit. Mocking the fears of someone who is trying

-harder than the administration itself- to make sure the event is safe is complete bullshit.

[BrotherIvan]

111. Gunner's new excuse is that THEY are being threatened

It's like a Christian's life being over if you don't say Merry Christmas. I cannot believe that even with a very real threat, people are still defending their guns over someone's life. It's sickening.

[bettyellen]

112. Yep, this was a snide insinuation that death threats are "no big deal"

and the right to carry arms anywhere trumps all- that attitude is a huge part of the fucking problem.

[BrotherIvan]

113. Exactly right

Because feeling threatened enough to carry a gun at all times is the only threat that matters. Translate into usually a man and traditionally white and you're halfway there. The NRA doesn't allow guns at its own conventions for cryin out loud.

[seabeyond]

8. nothing to see here. just another women, threatened with her life, for speaking. move along.

thanks for the info

[KamaAina]

11. Chilling parallels to the mass shooting at the University of Montreal

When Marc Lepine shot up the University of Montreal about 25 years ago, he ran around yelling "You are all feminists!"

"Feminists have ruined my life, and I will have my revenge, for my sake and the sake of all others they’ve wronged," read the message from a sender who claimed to be a USU student. ...

"A Montreal Massacre style attack will be carried out," warned the message, sent to multiple departments and individuals around campus. "I have at my disposal a semi-automatic rifle, multiple pistols, and a collection of pipe bombs." ...

The writer of the letter goes by the moniker "Marc Lepine," after a shooter who murdered 14 women at a Montreal engineering school in 1989. Lepine, like the writer of the threat to USU, wrote in his suicide note that feminists had ruined his life.

[hifiguy]

13. Holy shit.

Everyone knows there are plenty of bent arrows walking around out there but this is batshit crazy on a molecular level. indeed.

[TygrBright]

15. This makes perfect sense on her part.

Anita Sarkeesian has been subject to horrific and recent death threats, has been doxxed on the Internet, and the threats relate very specifically to her role as advocate for equity in the online gaming community, and feminist.

If she is speaking on this topic at a public venue it's not a stretch at all for her to be nervous about ranged weapons in the venue.

Frankly, given the nature of the threats and how current they are in the face of #gamergarbagegate, I applaud her willingness to speak in public at all, even with better security than USU seems willing to offer.

disgustedly,
Bright

[salib]

16. It is quite brave of her.

I am not sure I could live like that.

[DesMoinesDem]

17. This makes little sense.

She thinks that if the school says you can't legally bring guns to the event that will stop someone that says they are going to massacre everyone there? It's not like they were going to xray everyone before they went into the event. If someone actually wanted to kill people there with guns and pipe bombs they would do it whether or not guns are allowed.

[eggplant]

19. Security could easily wand everyone on the way in.

Not taking precautions because bad people are going to be bad is just stupid.

[Eleanors38]

83. If the wand indicates 3 legal holders, what then?

[eggplant]

90. I was replying to a theoretical question

That is, if the school didn't allow guns in, what would stop people from bringing in guns?

To which I replied that they could wand people. I would have hoped it was obvious that as part of that, if people were found with guns, they would be denied entrance.

Preemptively: I know the school does not have the right to restrict guns in this case. Please don't make this argument.

[Eleanors38]

93. Actually, the wand use may have a positive affect, even

under present Utah law by weeding out illegal gun holders, leaving only legal holders. I would consider this preferable under the circumstances. More to the point, USU should have, imo, provided additional armed security.

[Politicalboi]

103. Yes, the crazy man killed her but thank god

His gun was legal. That will help the dead woman. How about if you can't bring your gun, then DON'T go. This gun shit is getting insane. Where are the rights of those who don't want guns around. Don't we have rights too? Just let them stay home and stroke their guns.

[Eleanors38]

104. If you equate legal gun-holders with murderers...

Which is what threads like this end up being about, that and culture war. In the end, I have a greater trust in my fellows than others, I suppose. I note Utah hasn't had any mass murders on its campuses.

Anyone has a right not to be threatened with bodily harm, and IMO, should receive beefed-up security from LEOs, They don't have a right to tailor their security, or to abrogate law.

[knightmaar]

69. I would like to apologize on Anita Sarkeesian's behalf

I am sorry that the woman being threatened by a potential mass murderer did not follow the correct script in her reaction to hearing that the authorities wouldn't be able to prevent people with guns from attending her speech.

Her illogical reaction surely undermines anything else she has to say.

Please circulate the approved script containing all correct actions for a woman in her position, being sure to number them and provide multiple avenues for dealing with further difficulties.

A flowchart would be best.

[PatrynXX]

18. odd thing happened at Cabelas

we went into. they'd redone the front end in Prairie Du Chein WI so it was very hard to get passed the security guard and the big Check your guns in here sign. I didn't know Cabelas did that. Dicks does but not Cabelas or until now.

[geek tragedy]

27. How many death threats have you received, Internet tough person?

Believe it or not, some people value human life over others' precious guns.

[Lee-Lee]

29. Plenty

You can't be a cop of any sort and not get death threats from the people you arrest.

Always fun to be out for dinner running into a guy you put into jail for domestic violence who spent the whole ride to the jail going into detail of his plans to rape and kill you.

[geek tragedy]

32. So Ms Sarkeesian needs to arm herself and go

through LEO training or STFU?

[scarystuffyo]

35. She could hire a private hall and have any type of security measures put in place she wants

[geek tragedy]

36. Or they could just not allow guns in the theater

But, Utah is not a sane state when it comes to guns.

So, the gunners win and those who value human rights over gun rights lose.

[scarystuffyo]

38. Seriously , this is a tough one for me

I think her concern and fear is valid but at the same time I can understand a State University saying
they have to apply with the state law.

I think this could have been worked out before her decision to cancel.

[geek tragedy]

40. The problem is the state law that values guns more

than it values human beings.

People who perceive guns as dangerous have rights too, in a sane society.

[Rex]

65. There was no law that forbid the school from hiring security.

Anyone that believes that is a fool.

[NobodyHere]

97. I'm sure that anyone who wants to harm her

Will respect theatre rules.

[geek tragedy]

98. That is what security personnel are for. nt

[seabeyond]

39. or she can freely speak in this country. wtf? nt

[scarystuffyo]

42. Who is stopping her? No one

[seabeyond]

43. really? you do not think a threat of death is stopping her any? you would be a "move along,

nothing to see here", then

[scarystuffyo]

47. Maybe we should make that a crime to make death threats

Oh Never mind that all ready is...

You are making no point

[Rex]

48. I have to question cops that don't know simple tactics like deterrents.

A common use practice.

[Rex]

46. Wow, I am amazed at cops that should have learned simple tactics to ensure safety.

It was a simple deterrent that could have been put easily in place for public safety. Any rookie cop should know that, but I guess not.

[scarystuffyo]

55. It's not up to the police force , I'm sure they would have no problem

It's up to the University and the state laws in place.
They could be at the door and close to the stage as a deterrent but they can't
make laws up as they go. If it's legal to carry there they have to apply the law.

[Rex]

56. And it is also legal to hire an off duty cop and have a metal detector.

Easy peasy.

[scarystuffyo]

59. The Universty said no if I understand the article correctly

In a private venue then it would be no problem.
I'm not familiar with Utah state laws but I would imagine they are the same as every other state
when it comes to private property .

Private property you can have no firearms allowed whether you have a carry permit or not.

[Rex]

62. There was no law that prevented them from having security.

I don't blame her for cancelling, obviously the school didn't care about a hostile environment in which she could be assassinated. Sad.

[scarystuffyo]

64. It's not that she wanted security

She wanted no firearms allowed

Two different things entirely

[Rex]

66. Yes and the school could have hired security, which might have deterred her from canceling.

Just saying.

[scarystuffyo]

68. That's what I said in my earlier post

I'm sure it could have been worked out

[seabeyond]

70. she is not quibbling or negotiating her safety to speak.

[Rex]

72. It's a shame there are a group of men out there that hate women so much

in this country, that they want to keep them silenced from public places. Kinda our version of the Taliban.

[Eleanors38]

81. I completely agree, and have told other men to head in

when they start gassing misogynist crap. I don't know if USU allows private guards, though they should have offered duly-authorized LEO in any case.

What good would a wand scan do? If the student had a gun and was properly vetted/licensed, could authorities have disarmed him/her? Under what legal authority? If the procedure was used it could screen out Illegal gun holders, but not Legal holders. Would this have been satisfactory?

[ncjustice80]

61. Cops "deterrent" in this country is murdering unarmed black children.

[seaglass]

75. She was an invited speaker. duh. n/t

[A Simple Game]

76. So where are you a cop? Curious because where I live cops don't

allow civilians to carry weapons into their police stations. But by the way you talk cops do where you work.

[Throd]

31. You didn't address anything lee-lee said.

Are they going to search everyone for weapons or not?

Now, any jackass can make a threat against her at any future appearance and she has the choice to cancel the event or require all attendees to undergo a weapons check. Talk about a heckler's veto.

[geek tragedy]

34. Accusing someone who received a death threat

of engaging in a 'publicity stunt' is best addressed through scorn, as it is not a respectable or defensible argument.

Wanding to check for guns and not allowing guns inside the venue is reasonable.

Those who can't bear to be in public unarmed should stay home anyways.j

[Rex]

44. Funny, I thought all law enforcement was taught simple tactics - such as deterrents.

Guess not.

[geek tragedy]

50. That, and 'don't shoot white people' nt

[Rex]

52. I'm going to talk to our towns CoP later on today, I will ask him what he thinks.

[DanTex]

54. She asked them to but they couldn't because of the law.

That's the whole point.

[Oktober]

60. Right.. and the ones who value life should do something about it....

... instead of feel good crap that advances their agenda and actually does nothing to improve safety.

[upaloopa]

33. I would think that since carrying a gun is

ok then making an exception would mean having TSA type security to make sure the exception was enforced.
On the other hand I think whining about concealed carry is everyone's right. I hope more people would whine about it so much that someday we can outlaw it. I personally don't like that I am around paranoid gun nuts. Yes I think they are paranoid gun nuts.

[mythology]

37. You fail at basic reading

Yes she requested that they provide metal detectors.

Because apparently it's more important that the sort of coward who threatens violence be protected than the target. The Utah law is bloody fucking stupid. It prevents using intelligent responses to threats.

The piece of garbage who made this threat should be jailed and the brainless monkeys who made this incompetent laws should be run out of office.

[Rex]

41. LOL! You are a cop and you've never heard of deterrents?

Er...okay then.

[seabeyond]

49. +1. make it the wild west where all are armed and responsible for surviving. some of us prefer....

civility

[DanTex]

51. She requested metal detectors or pat-downs.

They said they couldn't do that because it would infringe on the right to bear arms. Pure idiocy.

Someone threatened "the deadliest school shooting in American history." Law enforcement thought the threat was credible enough to increase security, like not allowing backpacks. But guns had to be allowed, kinda defeating the whole purpose.

[Eleanors38]

84. And if legal gun holders were found, what then?

[DanTex]

85. Then they can't go in, because, you know, there are no guns allowed.

[Eleanors38]

88. Does Utah law bar guns from USU?

[DanTex]

89. No. It would be for this event specifically.

But they weren't allowed to because of a dumb Utah law. Is this really that complicated?

[Eleanors38]

91. It isn't complicated: Laws are not a sometimes thing.

[DanTex]

94. Yeah, it's a dumb law. That's the point.

Not being able to hold a lecture without guns when there are death threats is just stupid.

[DonCoquixote]

21. these manchildren need to be stopped

Not only are they choking out what could be the next great art form (gaming) but they are also trying to claim the internet for themselves. It does not matter if you are an MRA, and isis member, a KKK member, or whatever, if you threaten to use violence to advance your agenda, you better not whine when your former victims see to it that you are neutered and neutralized.

[BobbyBoring]

23. If a feminist has ruined your life

Take your gun and stick it In your mouth. You obviously had no life to begin with.

[Eleanors38]

92. You have a very violent disposition.

[Android3.14]

24. Too bad she was unable to speak

From what i can tell she isn't trying to ban video games, but trying to make people aware of the way games tend to portray women.

As long as she doesn't advocate thought control, this is a discussion we should have.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

25. I just pictured Donny and Marie packing heat.

[Arugula Latte]

26. This country is fucking insane.

I'm so ashamed of it. We've allowed the Gun Nutz to destroy so much.

[stevenleser]

28. This is exactly what the gun nuts want, for Liberals to be afraid to speak. This is an ominous

development.

[scarystuffyo]

30. Her choice to cancel

Was there a big audience expected to attend ?

[seabeyond]

53. i would like to know if you are veshta or whomever from the past, i ask respectfully.

and day one of notice, with your anti woman approach, i find the emoticon a little oh.... hm... bothersome. and obvious.

jury, as i have had threats toward me from that particular poster, and other women have too, i think we have a right to know who reincarnates are.

[seaglass]

71. Yikes sea, thanks for the head's up. n/t

[Sheldon Cooper]

77. Yep.

[JTFrog]

105. Good question.

I assume you mean Vashta Nerada who was himself a reincarnated previously banned troll.

[seabeyond]

108. yes. i can never remember the name. nt

[Rex]

57. Yeah heaven forbid she think the school would provide simple security.

After getting a death threat etc..

[Rex]

58. MRA types want to silence feminists, it is quite obvious.

Often with a death threat. But no 'rape culture' here...nope...just move on, nothing to see here.

[seabeyond]

67. i am with you rex

[Rex]

73. We need to rename MRA/4chan as the American Taliban.

They want to keep women silenced and unseen - just like the Taliban. They want to hurt and brutalize women - just like the Taliban.

[seabeyond]

74. or isis. well, they arent beheading yet. maybe just taliban. stoning. good point. nt

[Blue_Tires]

95. "But GamerGate is not about harassment and threats of violence!!"

"Just to prove how right I am, I'll personally fucking KILL anyone who disagrees!!"

[KitSileya]

96. This is terrorism

How can it not be? It fits the definition perfectly. It is misogynistic terrorism.


How much do any of you want to bet that now that Ms. Sarkeesian has cancelled her speech, the police will stop trying to find out who this terrorist is? Perhaps not on paper- "we are pursuing all avenues" - but unofficially, they'll put this investigation aside now 'that the threat is over'....

[KamaAina]

110. And we don't even know that the guy's white

[Politicalboi]

101. Guns are like an abusers

People who own them make excuses as to why they need them. They think guns keep them safe, but yet some gun owners are the victims of their own gun. And here they have to bow down to let the abusers in because it's their right. Their gun hasn't committed any crime, come on, give them a chance.

Is this our future with guns? Aren't all you pro gunners so happy that your Precious has won again. Disgusting.

[heaven05]

106. I do not blame her

too many misogynistic whackjobs out there fearful of losing their 'god given' right of supremacy over women and all 'others'.

[joeybee12]

107. Then she should bring a gun, and guns should be handed out to everyone at the door...

Having guns makes everyone safer!!!!

Do I really need this???

[Shankapotomus]

117. I think this illustrates the unworkibility

of current firearm laws. An event had to be canceled because the current laws didn't provide a speaker with enough sense of safety.