Anita Sarkeesian, Feminist Blogger, Cancels Speech After Threat

Feminist blogger Anita Sarkeesian canceled a speech planned for Wednesday at Utah State University after officials declined certain security measures in response to an anonymous email promising "the deadliest school shooting in American history," the Ogden Standard-Examiner reported.

Sarkeesian, who is known for advocating better portrayals of women in video games in her video blog video blog “Feminist Frequency,” tweeted about the decision.

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

The threatening email said: “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 Ogden Standard-Examiner reported.

Sarkeesian requested pat-downs and metal detectors, but university officials said that Utah law allows people with permits to carry concealed weapons at the venue. The University planned to increase security and forbid backpacks in the auditorium, The Salt Lake Tribune reported.

Sarkeesian clarified her concerns in a subsequent tweet.

To be clear: I didn't cancel my USU talk because of terrorist threats, I canceled because I didn’t feel the security measures were adequate.

— Feminist Frequency (@femfreq) October 15, 2014

Sarkeesian has become the target of harassment because of her work challenging how women are portrayed in video games.

A harassment campaign against female game developers and critics has drawn attention with the hashtag #GamerGate, and some have countered the trend with the hashtag #StopGamerGate2014.

Twitter users expressed concern.

This needs to stop. The harm this is causing is disgraceful and shameful. http://t.co/JekBe0yvkZ

— Kristi S. (@littlemissKris_) October 15, 2014

Scary that this level of violent sexism exists today in America, simply to silence a point of view: http://t.co/3D7KBtSpcS #censorship

— Tejas Desai (@TejasDesai99) October 15, 2014

I'd like to take a moment to address gamer dudes: If Anita Sarkeesian talks about sexism in games, you're gonna be okay. I promise.

— Will (@iFollowMirrors) October 15, 2014

Due to media attention, many more people now know the name Anita Sarkeesian and will watch her videos. Good job shutting her down, I guess?

— Dan Stapleton (@DanStapleton) October 15, 2014

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