Controversial US “pick-up artist” Julien Blanc has cut short his Australian tour after having his visa cancelled in the wake of protests against his seminars, which promote dangerous and abusive behaviour towards women.
“We can confirm Julien Blanc left Australia overnight,” Victorian police said on Twitter. “His assistant is also due to leave shortly.” The pair had planned to stay until December.
The immigration minister, Scott Morrison, said Mr Blanc’s visa was cancelled lastnight.
“The matter was raised with us and we had it investigated and this fellow looked at,” Mr Morrison told Sky News today.
“This guy wasn’t putting forward political ideas, he was putting forward abuse that was derogatory to women and that’s just something, those are values abhorred in this country.”
Australians were outraged after discovering Mr Blanc, a so-called “date coach”, was holding seminars to teach men how to “pick up” women using physical force and emotional abuse.
Venues in Melbourne refused to host his events after protesters highlighted his videos, Twitter feeds and photos promoting violence against women and abuse as a means of attracting them.
Mr Blanc’s assistant then attempted to hold a seminar on a boat on Melbourne’s Yarra river on Thursday night, which a handful of men paid to attend.
Protesters rallied along the river and also trailed the pair by boat, and Melbourne River Cruises cancelled the event as soon as they were told what was happening. In the end police escorted the men off the vessel.
Mr Blanc’s abortive visit comes as Victoria grapples with the devastating impact of family violence, with the deaths of 29 women and eight children at the hands of violent men in the past year.
Victorian police commissioner Ken Lay, who has consistently worked to end violence against women, was so disturbed by Mr Blanc’s behaviour that he released a statement Friday condemning it.
“I’ve seen Julien Blanc’s work,” he said. “To me most of it appears to be deeply disturbing and offensive. Labelling women as objects and actively promoting the abuse of women degrades the dignity of our whole community.
“We want to assure everyone that we have been paying close attention to this issue and appreciate that so many community members have expressed concern.”
Some people have been critical to the response against Mr Blanc, saying it only gives him more underserved attention.
But Mr Lay said he was proud Victorians had taken a stand, saying “it gives me confidence that we are moving in the right direction”.
Mr Blanc began his seminars in Sydney last week, but the movement against him had gained significant momentum by the time he reached Melbourne.
The #takedownjulienblanc Twitter campaign led by online activist Jennifer Li helped spread word of his talks, and an anti-Blanc Facebook page also emerged. An online petition urged Mr Morrison to deport him.
Protesters holding placards with slogans such as “destroy rape culture” followed Mr Blanc wherever he went.
Neither Mr Blanc nor his company have responded to requests for comment. According to his tour schedule, he is due to appear next in Japan.
Guardian