Photosales
niJobfinder
niCarfinder
Home Delivery
Propertynews
Mike Tyson faces Belfast rape protest
Friday, 11 September 2009
enlargeA rape victims group is poised to picket an appearance at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall by former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson.
Tyson, the youngest heavyweight champion in history, was jailed for three years in 1993 after being found guilty of the rape of beauty queen Desiree Washington.
He will appear in An Evening with Mike Tyson on November 6 at the Waterfront Hall, which is owned by Belfast City Council.
Eileen Calder from the Rape Crisis Centre said council property should not host a convicted rapist.
“I am appalled that Tyson has been invited here in the first place and I am calling on Belfast City Council to explain why they are allowing this to happen,” she said.
“Our centre, along with the council, has fought against the opening of lap-dancing clubs.
“In fact, the council has an impeccable record for campaigning to prevent rape, along with police and other organisations. At the same time having a convicted rapist lionised and made a hero of at your venue is most contradictory.
“I would certainly consult some survivors’ groups and women’s groups about mounting a picket outside this event.”
But a spokeswoman for Belfast City Council said: “The booking is from a private promoter who is hiring the hall. Belfast City Council does not have a policy that would prevent this event taking place, as this could be construed as a form of censorship.
“As this is a paid-for ticketed event, people have a choice as to whether or not to attend.”
Tyson’s tour of the UK has been organised by Jimmy Clyne Promotions, based in Essex.
Mr Clyne said: “Everybody has a past. I can’t make any judgment about what happened because I wasn’t there.”
Mr Clyne added that questions can be submitted in advance of the show and there was no ban on questions about Tyson’s rape conviction.
Tyson’s four-year-old daughter Exodus died in May after accidentally strangling herself on a cord hanging from a treadmill.
But Mr Clyne said there had been no question of Tyson not fulfilling his promise to visit Belfast, which had been in the pipeline since February.
- Text Size
hey payed his debt to society. Leave him alone!!!!!
Posted by TOny | 14.09.09, 14:39 GMT
hey payed his debt to society. Leave him alone!!!!!
Posted by TOny | 14.09.09, 14:36 GMT
Mr. Clyne can't pass judgment because he wasn't there, quote.
There is a lot of people in N.I. who were not at the Battle of the Boyne and seem fit to make many a judgment. Maybe they could assist Mr. Clyne in this matter.
I think the ladies should attend the show and ask Iron Mike their questions and concerns, from a safe distance.
Posted by Murphy | 12.09.09, 00:42 GMT
“In fact, the council has an impeccable record for campaigning to prevent rape, along with police and other organisations.
I would draw you attention to the letter submitted by the tourist who was a victim to rape.
Posted by rufus | 11.09.09, 19:22 GMT
Based on his arrest and conviction he should never be allowed outside of the United States. Heck, if you were convicted of Public Mischief or Theft then you would have to go get a special permit to enter America that costs $560 USD and takes 6 months to issue.
Posted by Colin | 11.09.09, 13:08 GMT
Im a big fight fan and a fan of Tyson the boxer, not the person if you know what I mean. As a result I have no interest in attending. I can see why the Rape Crisis Centre dont want him - but I cant help but feel that they are giving him free publicity to sell his show, which Im sure is contrary to what they were actually trying to achieve. If anyone didn't know it was on before this, they certainly do now.
Posted by Bruce Grimshaw | 11.09.09, 12:54 GMT
Should have him tagged when he is here... Really he shouldn't be allowed into the country, would anyone with this conviction be allowed into the US?
Posted by klabnix | 11.09.09, 12:44 GMT
By going to prison has he not paid his debt to society?
What people were in the past is just that - the past. Every person involved in promoting this guy as a boxer made a pile of cash off him, turned him into a violent crazy man & left him to rot. I am glad to see that he is trying to make his own way in the only way left available to him!
Oh and lap dancing does not cause men to run out and commit rape, it is only a bit of fun for G. sake!
Posted by hope | 11.09.09, 11:44 GMT
I have to agree with them. Anyone found guilty of rape should carry the shame of that for the rest of their lives. They shouldn't have privileges like this.
Posted by R Wait | 11.09.09, 09:23 GMT
I fully supoort this group who are trying to reduce the harmful and noxious ways women are treated in larger countries. Mike Tyson should get no publicity in NI. and lap dancing clubs in England are just fronts for prostitution. This is well known in GB but never really talked about in the mainstream media until the Guardian and the like do some under cover reporting. There is far too much of the "i'm alright jack" attitude. If you're not a victim of a sexual assault...then it's not your problem. If you're not sucked into prostitution then it's okay to have a gawp at them etc etc. Where is the right and wrong? where are the damn standards? I thank my lucky stars that it is obvious we still have that in NIreland when it is quite apparent that neither the USA or England does. Tyson is a blight, to have him there is the equivalent of inviting Attila the Hun or Adolf Hitler. All for a cheap photo opportunity please no!
Posted by Greg | 11.09.09, 08:38 GMT