I didn't post much about it since I didn't want to give them any oxygen, but right now PEGIDA Canada is holding a rally in Toronto's Nathan Phillips Square, ostensibly to memorialize the 2001 9/11 tragedy.... on 9/8 I guess.
In reality, it is a cynical ploy to exploit the tragedy to serve their own purposes. The Canadian Combat Coalition also claimed they would be attending and explicitly stated that they would claim that any counter-protesters who showed up would be disrespecting the dead (as if using the victims to promote Islamophobia is more noble).
PEGIDA really is spent force, if one could ever even consider it to have been much of a force in the first place, in the Canadian far-right. The can only ever manage a handful of individuals and are routinely outnumbered by counter-protesters by as much as 6 to 1. This rallyseems initially seemed to be no different.
And fyi, the Tweets are coming from Kosalan Kathir who is reporting from the scene. If you're on the platform please follow him:
In reality, it is a cynical ploy to exploit the tragedy to serve their own purposes. The Canadian Combat Coalition also claimed they would be attending and explicitly stated that they would claim that any counter-protesters who showed up would be disrespecting the dead (as if using the victims to promote Islamophobia is more noble).
PEGIDA really is spent force, if one could ever even consider it to have been much of a force in the first place, in the Canadian far-right. The can only ever manage a handful of individuals and are routinely outnumbered by counter-protesters by as much as 6 to 1. This rally
And fyi, the Tweets are coming from Kosalan Kathir who is reporting from the scene. If you're on the platform please follow him:
Here by Nathan Phillips Square. No sight of far right rallies. Another rally against geo- engineering is here as well #TOpoli #onpoli #Cndpoli pic.twitter.com/niGBRhFNPk— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) September 8, 2018
Counter protesters are out in force. Police presence is heavy. Police have similarly blocked of a portion of armoury street where far right protesters assembled last time. #TOpoli #onpoli #Cndpoli— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) September 8, 2018
Police have formed a human barricade around armoury street. Seems like a few far right protesters are here #TOpoli #onpoli #Cndpoli pic.twitter.com/QsqLdklEDg— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) September 8, 2018
The two sides have met. So far I count about 25 Counter protesters compared to 6 #PEGIDA protesters #TOpoli #onpoli #Cndpoli pic.twitter.com/TgnzBG6h8Z— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) September 8, 2018
The counter protesters are actively chanting. PEGIDA remains silent just watching the crowd. No taunting, nothing so far. #TOpoli #onpoli #Cndpoli— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) September 8, 2018
PEGIDA has planted several flags of the USA, Canada and Israel around their base and got a loud speaker going on playing somber music. Allegedly they're trying to use the near by anniversary of 9/11 as a rallying point #TOpoli #onpoli #Cndpoli pic.twitter.com/039x1XyU6B— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) September 8, 2018
Sounds like the chanting got to a PEGIDA member who's started yelling about 9/11. There are no more then 30 Counter protesters and 10 PEGIDA protesters #TOpoli #onpoli #Cndpoli pic.twitter.com/tLygoI7Hmb— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) September 8, 2018
Frustrations continue to mount among PEGIDA. They're all of a sudden very vocal (rather the one women is) She's brought up the shooting on the #Danforth as a rallying point #TOpoli #onpoli #Cndpoli pic.twitter.com/rAoXz1vlpG— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) September 8, 2018
UPDATE 1: Well looks like things have gotten a bit more interesting.
Things blew up rapidly. 20ish PEGIDA affiliates arrived. Police forcibly push counter protesters to the side to allow them into the area. Conflict was breif but intense. At least one person detained #TOpoli #onpoli #Cndpoli pic.twitter.com/xTJseVHAOG— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) September 8, 2018
Eric Brazau was taken away by the police:
Couple of major things happened in a short span of time. Riot police have arrived. Eric Brazeau was trying to instigate something before being escorted by police. This individual was also escorted by cops #TOpoli #onpoli #Cndpoli pic.twitter.com/ruH1Lqd6gT— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) September 8, 2018
Organizations that we know are here include Soldiers of Odin, Northern Guard, Proud Boys and at least one person wearing a Canadians Combat Coalition shirt and a La Meute shirt. #TOpoli #onpoli #Cndpoli pic.twitter.com/iEM1eCgLye— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) September 8, 2018
Theres also an individual wearing American (?) military garb and several wearing body armour. PEGIDA is here for a fight. #TOpoli #onpoli #Cndpoli pic.twitter.com/Ot5aUZmIEW— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) September 8, 2018
Potentially. They have shown up in the past but I haven't seen any indicators that they're here— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) September 8, 2018
Police aren't letting me get close enough to take photos of the body armour and military gear. Will post later today from DSLR photo— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) September 8, 2018
I count at least 5 Solider of Odin members, 2 Northern Guard members and 4 Proud Boys— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) September 8, 2018
Riot police have formed a second line facing PEGIDA supporters #TOpoli #onpoli #Cndpoli pic.twitter.com/YLNRb4ztft— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) September 8, 2018
I can confirm that at least one person is wearing a III% patch on his body armour. The III% (Three per cent) are a very militant organization with origins from the States. Photo will come soon. #TOpoli #onpoli #Cndpoli— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) September 8, 2018
Interestingly, along with police officers are aided by By Law Enforcement. They're ensuring blow horns and speakers on both sides are not being used #TOpoli #onpoli #Cndpoli pic.twitter.com/a26x5pMp1Z— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) September 8, 2018
Legal observers are also here today watching the event.— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) September 8, 2018
PEGIDA has grown considerably. 9/11 shouting continues. #TOpoli #onpoli #Cndpoli pic.twitter.com/38HCFspVWe— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) September 8, 2018
The current layout is as this. Riot police are blocking the two. #TOpoli #onpoli #Cndpoli pic.twitter.com/HzfpzgWoTk— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) September 8, 2018
This massive new banner has done a good job of blocking out PEGIDA #TOpoli #onpoli #Cndpoli pic.twitter.com/dmTJYyJAPR— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) September 8, 2018
Currently taking screen shots from CCC member Dunn Ryan Mclean's live feed. It looks like most of the people are the usual suspects, including Charlene O'Farrell and the Hamilton SoO:
A few of the comments:
This is Cory Knowles, by the way.
5 more members of PEGIDA showed up. I tried to photograph them but one of them tried to assault me, punching my camera twice. Photos to come #TOpoli #onpoli #Cndpoli— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) September 8, 2018
Things have stagnated for a bit. Observers from a separate climate change rally are watching what's going on. #TOpoli #onpoli #Cndpoli pic.twitter.com/uEmt5zIY3o— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) September 8, 2018
— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) September 8, 2018
Lots of movement. Not sure if they're leaving or marching #TOpoli #onpoli #Cndpoli pic.twitter.com/F5awX0nFvo— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) September 8, 2018
PEGIDA tried to march down Bay to lay a wreath. They are currently stopped. pic.twitter.com/IVrk6ny7rE— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) September 8, 2018
Current situation on the ground. More cops have arrived. Things are tense #TOpoli #onpoli #Cndpoli pic.twitter.com/pkBAhjw8hW— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) September 8, 2018
Police have formed a wedge and warned counter protesters they will be marching right through them #TOpoli #onpoli #Cndpoli pic.twitter.com/H2lWdWyQsU— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) September 8, 2018
Police have begin the move. Counter protesters are pushing back #TOpoli #onpoli #Cndpoli pic.twitter.com/kpWcFZbBFb— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) September 8, 2018
UPDATE 2: AANNNDDDD I'm back.
So, anything interesting happen while I was away?
BREAKING counter protesters have held their line and have slowed and counties to push against police pic.twitter.com/gMpIqV02Gi— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) September 8, 2018
— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) September 8, 2018
If PEGIDA Canada and their fellow far-right supporters thought that they would be welcomed as heroes, it would appear that they were badly mistaken:
The public is listening and cheering on the counter protesters. PEGIDA might have slipped by #TOpoli #onpoli #Cndpoli pic.twitter.com/v1exY9sgUg— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) September 8, 2018
The public is listening and cheering on the counter protesters. PEGIDA might have slipped by #TOpoli #onpoli #Cndpoli pic.twitter.com/v1exY9sgUg— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) September 8, 2018
PEGIDA placed this wreath down at the cenotaph before slipping away. Counter protesters are likely heading to 52 division for "jail support pic.twitter.com/f4rVRVxBuQ— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) September 8, 2018
Rally has ended. Everyone is departed. Photos to come.— Kosalan Kathir (@kokopuff16) September 8, 2018
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