Neo-Nazi Rally Planned for Vancouver Area, Anti-Racist Activists Say

By Carlito Pablo; March 8, 2010 - The Straight
http://straight.com/article-296787/vancouver/neonazi-rally-p...

The activist group No One Is Illegal-Vancouver is preparing to confront what it says is a neo-Nazi rally being planned for March 21, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Although white-supremacist demonstrations have occurred on this day in Calgary and other Canadian cities in recent years, No One Is Illegal member Sumayya Kassamali told the Straight today (March 8) that B.C.’s Lower Mainland hasn’t seen such a gathering in a long time.

“It seems like the voices that may have been quieter before are now feeling like...I don’t know whether they’re feeling threatened or they’re just feeling like maybe they have more public support...and they can come out and really publicly say things that we would consider completely atrocious and despicable,” Kassamali said.

She also noted that anti-immigrant sentiment in North America appears to have increased following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In Canada, according to her, such feelings may have been fanned by the terrorism case involving the so-called Toronto 18.

Kassamali said that some people hold the notion that Canada has become “too lax on immigrants” and that immigrants are “becoming violent, and they’re not grateful”.

The white-pride rally, according to No One Is Illegal, will start at 11 a.m. at the Braid SkyTrain station in New Westminster.

Kassamali said that anti-racist protesters will also gather at the same location.

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Press Release: re Planned White Supremacist March in Vancouver, March 21st

Neo-nazis are planning to march in the streets of Vancouver. We will not allow this to go unchallenged.

By Mac; March 10, 2010 - Vancouver Media Co-op
http://vancouver.mediacoop.ca/newsrelease/3005

Allow me to introduce myself. For the purposes of this letter, I ask to be considered an anonymous citizen, although I will give my information to journalists if it is required, once I can ascertain their legitimacy. I am primarily a representative of the Vancouver Area A.R.A. (Anti-Racist Action) chapter in this case, although we will not be the only organization represented, by far. This chapter has been reactivated in response to the rising threat of fascist activity in our communities, as evidenced by the recent public activity of white supremacist groups. We are a non-sectarian organization, composed of people from across the entire spectrum of culture, creed, age, race, and of all genders. The only universal characteristic that we share is our opposition to racially-motivated hatred; and to the individuals responsible for propagating it in today’s society. We stand united against racism, sexism, anti-Semitism, age-discrimination, discrimination against individuals with disabilities, and the exploitation of marginalized workers around the globe. We are individuals from every level of society, individuals that recognize and embrace the differences which enrich our communities. We are citizens of this country, and we will not stand for the public presence of groups promoting racial hatred; or for the threat that their presence poses to the safety of visible minorities.

On Sunday, March 21st, a white supremacist group referring to themselves as “Advocates for White Civil Rights” founded by...“vice-president” Lee Peacock is planning to march through Coquitlam, Burnaby and Vancouver. They plan to assemble at Braid Skytrain station in New Westminster at 12 noon then proceed down the line, marching between stations, and ending at the Vancouver Art Gallery. After this, they have stated their intention to proceed to Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area, where they plan on holding a “feast”, in their words. Given the secluded nature of this area, and the fact that their group includes known violent offenders, and has demonstrated hostility towards visible minority groups, this poses an unacceptable threat to public safety. There is currently a petition to the city of Burnaby, to deny them usage on those grounds.

Numerous groups are massing in opposition to this, there will be a Multicultural Pride march assembling at Braid station at 11am on the same day, and proceeding along the same planned route. There will be a wide variety of entertainment, performances and general revelry at the event, it is intended to be a peaceful celebration of the lower mainland’s multicultural community; people of all race, culture and creed are welcome. There will also be a cohesive, organized presence there, to prevent any of the participants from being harmed. We are after all dealing with violent offenders, who have a track record of assaulting visible minorities. The concept of “white pride” is protected under freedom of speech, despite the fact that it is being used as a thin veneer to mask the promotion of hate crimes. We recognize and appreciate this right, we do not intend to block their planned march. We are there to present the differing viewpoint, in a safe, positive and fun manner. We ask that all interested members of Vancouver’s diverse ethnic and cultural communities join us; to celebrate the differences between us, and to demonstrate to these individuals and groups that racial hatred will not go unchallenged in this area.

There is currently a similar situation on Vancouver Island with a group calling itself “Blood & Honour”, who are associated with the “Volksfront” (themselves the largest white supremacist group in BC). They are planning a 2-day “folk gathering”, themed around fascist, xenophobic ideology, and a pagan worship known as “Asatru” (the worship of the old Norse gods). Asatru in and of itself does not promote racial hatred, but has been adopted by white supremacists as a means of furthering their dogma, most notably by Irish national Vicky Cahill (niece of deceased crime boss Martin Cahill), who plans on attending this event, and is a known member of their group. Other known “Blood & Honour” (as well as Volksfront) members include Dan & Evan Atkey, Shawn MacDonald, Martina Mortimer, Rob De Chazel and an individual named Jan, known only so far by his street name, “white boy”, whom we have numerous photos of, and who was an original founder of the “Aryan Guard”, which is predominantly a problem in Alberta. Known Volksfront leader, Brad Galloway (aka O’Neal) is originally from Ontario, we have been told that he has some connection to CSIS, and that his father is a JOG police agent (although this is as yet uncorroborated). Volksfront is the only group out of the three which has not been observed using Neo-Nazi symbolism, or directly espousing the views of Adolf Hitler. Photographs of all of the above-mentioned individuals are available on request, should you wish to run them.

I will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have, or to furnish additional materials, please forward correspondence to concernedcitizen604@gmail.com. http://anti-racistcanada.blogspot.com/ and http://www.onepeoplesproject.com/ are excellent sources of information, and http://www.stormfront.org/forum/ is the platform the white supremacists are using to disseminate information, see for yourselves… I thank you for your time in reading this, and look forward to hearing from you. Racial hatred must be opposed in all its forms; and the public has a right to know when individuals in their community are disseminating its propaganda. It is my hope that you feel the same, and that you will exercise your journalistic responsibility by notifying the public of this unfortunate situation in their midst.