Auckland Live has cancelled an event featuring Stefan Molyneux and Lauren Southern as Mayor of Auckland Phil Goff says Southern and Molyneux will not be allowed to speak at any council owned venues.

“Auckland Live wishes to advise that Stefan Molyneux and Lauren Southern LIVE will no longer be held at the Bruce Mason Centre, in Auckland,” the venue organiser said.

“Auckland Live director, Robbie Macrae, says security concerns around the health and safety of the presenters, staff and patrons attending the 3 August event have led to its cancellation at the venue.”

The cancellation came not long after Auckland’s mayor banned Southern and Molyneux from speaking at any council owned venue.

“Auckland venues shouldn’t be used to stir up ethnic or religious tensions,” he said. “Views that divide rather than untie are repugnant and I have made my views on this very clear. Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux will not be speaking at any Council venues.”

Southern responded to the announcement saying, “No system will survive if it is contingent on shutting down any discussion or criticism of its issues. What kind of faith does this inspire in your ideology if it cannot be questioned? Does the ‘enrichment’ of diversity come at the cost of our rights to speech?”

David Pellowe, an event organiser responded to the Tweet saying, “Incredible totalitarianism. Never let the #facts get in the way of a good story. Moreover, give registered terrorist organisation #AntiFa a precise recipe for what lies and threats and incitement to violence is needed to shut down ideas right of Stalin.”