Denton says NO to ‘pro-rape’ group

Women rights supporters, left to right, Maddie Williams, Stephanie Dailey, and Elizabeth Clinton hold signs on the square in protest of the group. Tristan Miller | Staff Photographer

February 06

23:56 2016

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Jynn Schubert | Staff Writer

@JynnWasHere

Despite the “pro-rape” group Return of Kings cancelling its rally scheduled for 8 p.m. Saturday at the Denton Square, citizens of Denton County still gathered in counter-protest.

The protesters got together after the Facebook group #ThisIsNotDenton organized its rally in response. Before Return of Kings cancelled its meetings, the group intended to discuss its plan to legalize rape on private property.

“Despite whether they actually cancelled or not, I think it’s amazing how much it’s backfired on them,” protester Maddie Williams said. “Now you have thousands of women organizing that probably outnumber those misogynistic men.”

Anti-protesters show up on the square. @ntdaily pic.twitter.com/GgPRPGSsLf
— Jynn Schubert (@JynnWasHere) February 7, 2016

Although the protesters were expecting a larger turnout, a few dozen sign-wielding citizens arrived to show support for women’s rights.

“The fact that a group even pretended to host something like this is offensive and ridiculous,” UNT political science student and campus leader Billy Poer said. “We were expecting a bigger counter-protest, but I mean, the fact that there’s anybody out here is important. We shouldn’t let anything like this happen.”

Drew Hairston was especially upset over the Return of Kings meet-up day. Hairston came to the protest with his homemade sign that read “THIS is Denton.”

After seeing #ThisIsNotDenton, Drew Hairston, left, came out to support their sisters of Denton to help prove that Denton is a safe place. Tristan Miller | Staff Photographer

“We are Denton. All of us here, showing support for a better community instead of something that is going to be ruled by fear,” Hairston said. “I don’t want anybody to walk around my square and think that they’re going to get attacked or raped.”

Featured Image: Women rights supporters, left to right, Maddie Williams, Stephanie Dailey, and Elizabeth Clinton hold signs on the square in protest of the group. Tristan Miller | Staff Photographer