Thousands say pick-up artist 'sexist and racist', demand hotel cancel seminar

Petition accuses self-proclaimed 'leader in dating advice', Julien Blanc, of advocating abuse.

Storified by The Stream· Mon, Nov 03 2014 20:18:34

In the following tweet, an online user shares a video from a seminar of Julien Blanc's in which he brags about grabbing women by their heads to force them into sexually suggestive positions. He went on to say "At least in Tokyo, if you're a white male, you can do what you want".

His advice to men about picking up in Tokyo: 'If you're a white man, you can do what you like' https://t.co/kaUWpzdHwv #takedownjulienblancQueen Victoria

While Blanc boasts "phenomenal" results, more than 5,300 people have signed a petition demanding The Como Melbourne hotel cancel his upcoming seminar. Calling Blanc "sexist and racist", the petition's supporters have taken to Twitter with #TakeDownJulienBlanc to express outrage over Blanc's dating advice:

@ComoMelbourne You can't possibly welcome a man that is openly harassing women and scamming men.You too can say NO! #takedownjulienblancSolen Fluzin

@RSDJulien You are a sick person who needs to be left in a dungeon, what you do is disgusting and i'm polite #takedownjulienblancHenry-Philippe

I'm totally cool with this hashtag #takedownjulienblanc .. the guy is a creep and turning more guys into creeps.Nisa Chavez Taylor

Why oh why would you allow a 'how to abuse women' conference at your premises @ComoMelbourne #wewillrememberthis #takedownjulienblancMelanie Tee

Misogynist Julien Blanc runs a biz teaching white men to assault Japanese women. Keep him out! #takedownjulienblanc http://t.co/01AY2ZrTGGNoriko Manabe

One user suggested Blanc may not be serious about his advice:

This #takedownjulienblanc seems to have no hard evidence of this Julien guy being seriousThe jenkins

No one was available for comment from The Como Melbourne at the time of posting.