BTS #BTS_WORLDTOUR IN NORTH AMERICA
ARMY MEMBERSHIP PRESALE REGISTRATION: NOW ~ 18 JAN
PRESALE: 22 & 23 JAN
> 9AM, 11AM, 1PM, 3PM ~ 9.59PM
GENERAL ONSALE: 24 JAN
> 9AM, 11AM, 1PM, 3PM
*CHECK SPECIFIC TIMINGS FOR EACH CITIES BELOW
* TIMES IN LOCAL TIME
#BTS_WORLDTOUR_NA
Hey, so I paid for blue checkmark solely so I could talk about this and hopefully spread more awareness of why this SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED, and to hopefully help my friends stay safe.
I work at cons.
(DISCLAIMER, I DO NOT REPRESENT THE CON I WORK FOR OR SPEAK FOR THEM IN ANY WAY. I am speaking solely from a place of experience, and what I have observed as both a con attendee and a con visitor for over 15 years.)
Every year, I work for a four day con with thousands of attendees and celebrity guests. This isn't to brag or try to get clout - I'm stating this to explain I have experience with this. One year, we found out a major Youtuber had quietly come to the con and had been spotted by his attendees. FOR HIS SAFETY, we immediately had a detail of plain clothed members of staff dispatched to help protect him and also keep people from crowding him or creating incidents that would cause a fire hazard due to people blocking pathways or exits.
For meet and greets, signings, photo ops, we use gaf tape, barriers, multiple bodies, and whenever possible, an area with limited access so we can keep track of who's coming and going, and there is ALWAYS multiple members of our staff alongside their staff. Even 'smaller creators' we make sure that they are in a position to be well taken care of. We also have constant communication with our team at all times.
This should have NEVER happened. There should have been- at MINIMUM- multiple rope barriers and several twitch con or convention staff nearby to direct people where the line was and to keep people moving and from approaching her like this. In some of the videos, I can see ONE rope barrier. That's it.
With Emiru already having been in danger earlier this year at a stalking case (the incident with Valkyrae and Cinna) and Emiru raising concern over her favorite and preferred bodyguard being banned after a similar incident, Twitchcon staff owed her safety, more than one singular rope and more than one guard. There should have been multiple ropes so you see someone trying to duck through before they get in. The high fabric barriers, multiple staff patrolling (both security and regular staff) to look for suspicious behavior, and handlers who, yes, stand in the way of onlookers taking pictures.
Do they ruin the shots? Yes. But you can have them out of the way for the fans in line while still creating a safe environment for Emiru. Onlookers don't need a perfect shot without guards, and that would create safety for Emiru.
I went to Comic-con as an attendee, and every meet and greet or signing I saw, had plain clothed staff leaning on the table, and uniformed staff present at the lines. The rope lines were zigzagged so it would delay anyone trying to run in.
Twitchcon, you failed Emiru. You failed your female creators and female attendees. In just a few hours, you've shown parasocial fans that you've created an environment where this is possible. While the public decries this and demands reform, there are those who are watching this and seeing that this is possible, and may be planning to do similar or WORSE to other female streamers before the con ends.
To my female/femme presenting friends at Twitchcon - Please be safe. Be aware of your surroundings, and if something seems off, trust your gut. Male/masculine/buffer friends, watch out for the smaller people.
Demand refunds, demand change, be vocal about situations like this. This isn't overreacting. Look up stories like Christina Grimmie. That happened in 2016. That wasn't that long ago.
Always protect your drinks, travel in groups. DO NOT SAY YOUR HOTEL ROOM NUMBER OUT LOUD. If you suspect you're being followed, tell your hotel staff.
When the con gives you an option for a survey, tank the survey and explain why. Do not be quiet about this. Be loud. Use your voice.
To @emiru@EmiruUpdatess I am so sorry you were failed, and I hope you are able to recover from this safely.
Stay safe, everyone.
And Twitch? DO. BETTER.
Fuck's sake.