Thousands sign petition to block Julien Blanc from coming to London

Thousands have signed a petition to stop controversial 'pick-up artist' and 'dating coach' Julien Blanc from entering the UK (Picture via YouTube)

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A video on Mr Blanc's YouTube channel from two years ago shows him in London - but campaigners want to stop him from returning (Picture via YouTube)

The American, who was recently booted out of Australia following protests at his events, runs seminars and bootcamps on how to pick up women through the company Real Social Dynamics.

He is due to bring his tour to the UK next February, but there are also rumours he will speak in London later this month, and campaigners are urging the government to deny him access to spread his message.

The petition on website change.org states: “Julien Blanc and his group, RSD, are a group of sexist and racist ‘pick up artists’, who have made a living by teaching men how to violate women through physical and emotional abuse.

“It’s not only women who are affected; Blanc’s misogynistic ‘pick up techniques’ directly exploit vulnerable men who buy into rape culture and end up believing that this is an appropriate way to behave.

“To allow this man into the UK legitimises sexual assault and predation, and sends a message that women are playthings or objects without agency.”

Mr Blanc’s own Twitter account says RSD is ‘the international leader in dating advice’ – but he hit the headlines after a video appearing to show him choking random women on the street caused uproar.

And after media coverage of protests at events in Australia saw his visa eventually being revoked, with campaigners urging the UK government to follow suit.

The author of the petition said: “A likely outcome of his seminars in the UK would be increased incidence of sexual assault, already at staggering numbers.”

So far neither Julien Blanc of anybody from Real Social Dynamics has commented on the petition.