Security guards hired for Melbourne screening of The Red Pill

SECURITY guards will be hired to help protect attendees at a controversial men’s rights movie.

Cassie Jaye at the World Premiere of The Red Pill. Picture: Ian Stroud

SECURITY guards will be hired to help protect attendees at a controversial men’s rights movie.

Men’s rights advocates have secured a new venue allowing The Red Pill to premier in Melbourne as planned.

The documentary was to have screened at the Kino theatre on November 6 but this week opponents launched a petition and convinced parent company Palace Cinemas to cancel the private screening.

The Red Pill is feminist filmmaker Cassie Jaye’s exploration of the men’s rights movement.

OPINION: Why we should have the right to see The Red Pill

She said it changed her thinking, but she has received a backlash from feminist critics.

The 2300-signature petition to stop Kino showing the film labelled it “misogynist propaganda” for giving the “sexist” movement a voice.

A counter petition passed 7000 signatures.

Men’s Rights Melbourne spokesman David Williams said the opponents’ actions hampered free speech.

Mr Williams would not name the cinema now hosting the premier.

“We are concerned for the safety of attendees,” Mr Williams said.

The cinema had capacity for about 150 people who could buy tickets through his organisation which still needed to raise $7800 to cover extra costs and security guards.

A crowdsourcing campaign had hit $800 in the first four hours and of going online.

Mr Williams said he had contacted 42 Melbourne cinemas and venues before finding one that was available and was prepared to screen the film.

Some cinemas were already booked up but others shied away from controversy, he said.

“It’s been an exhausting time. I’m happy that we’ve found some one who agrees with us,” Mr Williams said.

Ms Jaye told the Herald Sun she was shocked that Melbourne was the only place her film had been cancelled and she was shocked so many people had signed the opposing petition when they hadn’t seen the film.

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