So, will the boasts of the boneheads turn out to be true that this will be their biggest showing in Calgary yet, or will it, as we suspect, be a dud?
Not entirely sure.
No matter how it turns out though, we ask our dear readers who attend the counter rally send us their pictures and accounts of how things go down. We also ask our readers who may wish to show their solidarity with the anti-racists to head to City Hall downtown to attend their rally.
O, that a man might know
The end of this day's business ere it come!
But it sufficeth that the day will end,
And then the end is known.
Police attempt to head off 'white pride' violence
By Jason van Rassel, Calgary Herald
Not entirely sure.
No matter how it turns out though, we ask our dear readers who attend the counter rally send us their pictures and accounts of how things go down. We also ask our readers who may wish to show their solidarity with the anti-racists to head to City Hall downtown to attend their rally.
O, that a man might know
The end of this day's business ere it come!
But it sufficeth that the day will end,
And then the end is known.
Police attempt to head off 'white pride' violence
By Jason van Rassel, Calgary Herald
Police have met with white supremacists and counter-demonstrators in an effort to prevent any violence during a planned march in downtown Calgary on Saturday.
A similar "white pride" event in 2009 turned briefly violent as members of both sides briefly skirmished and some in the crowd threw rocks and full soup cans at the white supremacists.
Police said they have spoken with both groups to get an idea of how many people are expected to attend this weekend's event and officers will be prepared.
"We have a plan in place to make sure we can keep the two groups apart," said Insp. Keith Cain.
Investigators believe the violence in 2009 was started by people who infiltrated the crowd and weren't affiliated with either group.
While a majority of Calgarians may find the white supremacists' message offensive, police stressed their ability to gather and hold a demonstration is constitutionally protected.
"The reality is, the Charter protects that right," said Chief Rick Hanson.
The Criminal Code has three sections relating to hate crimes, however, the offences are narrowly-defined and police need permission from the provincial attorney general before using them to lay charges.
The Criminal Code makes it an offence to advocate genocide, publicly incite or promote hatred, or mischief to a place of worship that's motivated by hate.
The Criminal Code also has a provision that allows judges to impose a more severe sentence if it can be proven a crime is motivated by hate or prejudice.
Although the main stated aim of police is to keep the peace on Saturday, it's also an opportunity for investigators to gather intelligence on the white supremacists and their activities.
Police work with several communities in Calgary and have a member assigned who investigates specific hate crimes or whether other offences are motivated by hatred or prejudice.
"This is not just a one-day thing for us," said Staff Sgt. Bill Dodd of the diversity resources unit.
"We will follow up with any incidents that occur over the weekend."
jvanrassel@calgaryherald.com
Twitter:@JasonvanRassel
A similar "white pride" event in 2009 turned briefly violent as members of both sides briefly skirmished and some in the crowd threw rocks and full soup cans at the white supremacists.
Police said they have spoken with both groups to get an idea of how many people are expected to attend this weekend's event and officers will be prepared.
"We have a plan in place to make sure we can keep the two groups apart," said Insp. Keith Cain.
Investigators believe the violence in 2009 was started by people who infiltrated the crowd and weren't affiliated with either group.
While a majority of Calgarians may find the white supremacists' message offensive, police stressed their ability to gather and hold a demonstration is constitutionally protected.
"The reality is, the Charter protects that right," said Chief Rick Hanson.
The Criminal Code has three sections relating to hate crimes, however, the offences are narrowly-defined and police need permission from the provincial attorney general before using them to lay charges.
The Criminal Code makes it an offence to advocate genocide, publicly incite or promote hatred, or mischief to a place of worship that's motivated by hate.
The Criminal Code also has a provision that allows judges to impose a more severe sentence if it can be proven a crime is motivated by hate or prejudice.
Although the main stated aim of police is to keep the peace on Saturday, it's also an opportunity for investigators to gather intelligence on the white supremacists and their activities.
Police work with several communities in Calgary and have a member assigned who investigates specific hate crimes or whether other offences are motivated by hatred or prejudice.
"This is not just a one-day thing for us," said Staff Sgt. Bill Dodd of the diversity resources unit.
"We will follow up with any incidents that occur over the weekend."
jvanrassel@calgaryherald.com
Twitter:@JasonvanRassel
© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald
"Investigators believe the violence in 2009 was started by people who infiltrated the crowd and weren't affiliated with either group."
ReplyDeletePure bullshit. "The violence" started when the AG began organizing in Calgary. Upset community members who respond by throwing soup cans should hardly be a point of concern. To suggest that some random persons engaged in wanton aggression simply for the sake of it is sheer ignorance. The entire day and the actions of everyone were highly political. I stand by the anti-fascists who came out to defend their city.