Students Protest Over Leeds Tequila UK's Pro-Rape Video (PICTURES)

PICTURES: Students Protest Over Club's Pro Rape Video

Students took to the streets of Leeds on Thursday to protest against an events promoter which used a pro-rape video to advertise its club night.

Tequila UK has been slammed for using a video featuring a man who expressed his intentions to rape a female student. The footage for the company's "Fresher Violation" night, which has since been removed, saw a male ask several young women how they were going to "survive violation".

On Thursday, members of the public joined students from Leeds University to hold a protest outside Mezz Club, which hosts Tequila UK club nights. Around 250 protesters attended, while Emma Friend, the university's Union Equality & Diversity Officer, handing a petition to oust Tequila UK, which has more than 3,300 signatures, over to a Mezz Club member of staff.

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Tequila UK protest

Amy Smith, a Leeds resident and former student of the University of Leeds, attended the demonstration and told The Huffington Post UK: "I didn't even need to think about attending the protest last night - I had to go.

"The protest was fantastic and showed Leeds students and residents have had enough of Tequila and the misogyny, abuse and rape culture it represents.

"The low point for me was when one male Tequila-goer pushed his way through the protesters saying 'if you don’t like it, don’t go'. One female protestor then turned her banner to him. It said “My Rape Wasn’t Funny”. She was called a 'loser' by this man and told to 'get over it'.

"This is ‘rape culture’ alive and disgusting in our city."

Below is an excerpt from the transcript from the original "Freshers Violation" promotion video:

Presenter: "How are you going to violate a fresher tonight?"

Student: "I've got one here with me who's just disappeared.. There she is."

Presenter: "And what are you going to do to her tonight?"

Student: "Well she's paying for the cab, she's paying for the drinks."

Presenter: "Strong."

Student: "She's going to get raped."

One student says: "I'm going to fist them in the arse. They won't even know," with another adding: "Violate is a very strong word. I'm going to take advantage of someone."

Police are now investigating the events promoter, following the public outcry over the company's promotional tactics.

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