Anti-Racist Canada: The ARC Collective: Hamilton Ontario: A Troubling Timeline

INTRODUCTION:

Hamilton is in crisis. It may seem alarmist to use that word, but when we review the events of the past year, it is impossible to come to any other conclusion. I believe I can speak for all of us at ARC Collective when I say that we are deeply troubled by the lack of support HPS has shown anti-racists so far, while government officials appear to mishandle the situation. There have been a few positive steps, including the beginnings of an independent review of police conduct at Hamilton Pride, but these steps are barely a start and do not go nearly far enough.

When developments occur in Hamilton -- both positive and negative -- it seems to us that everyone responding, including government, police, and the media, are missing the larger context of each individual incident. As a result, patterns are being overlooked and mistakes are being compounded. That's why Nosferatu, Yellow Vests Canada Exposed, and myself collaborated, along with consulting community activists, to create this living document. It is our hope that it will help everyone situate the latest events within the greater whole, and that maybe, just maybe, that will lead to new insights, questions, and possible solutions.

I originally intended to end this timeline at the close of 2019, but since it is clear the crisis will not magically resolve on December 31st, we will continue adding to it as long as necessary. We have done our best to put together a complete representation of events, however, we recognize that there are some we may be unaware of, or that things have been missed. If there is anything you think we should add, please reach out to the blog.

- BloodRayne

JAN - MAY 2019:

Multiple anti-Muslim demonstrations occurred in Hamilton.
Yellow Vest rallies a weekly occurrence, beginning in December.
Sat. Jan 12th - A Yellow Vest protester swings a telescoping baton at counter-protesters.
Sat. Jan 26th - An antifascist is arrested at a Yellow Vests Canada rally.

MAY 2019:

Wed. May 8th - VICE reports that Marc Lemire, the one-time leader of the Heritage Front and general high profile white supremacist, had been working for the City of Hamilton in their IT Department for years. Lemire was put on leave pending an independent investigation.
Thurs. May 9th - VICE reports on odd circumstances surrounding Lemire’s employment (being left off some directories; using extension on voicemail instead of name). In the report, Hamilton lawyer Craig Burley comes forward, stating he notified the City of Lemire’s past in November, 2018.

JUNE 2019:

Sat. June 1st - At a Yellow Vests rally Lisa Thompson led an attack against anti-racist protesters that resulted in assault when one counter protester had their mask ripped off and glasses broken.
Sat. June 8th - Soldiers of Odin, Wolves of Odin, Northern Guard, Canadian Nationalist Party, and Proud Boy members joined in the weekly Yellow Vest protest. One anti-racist journalist/activist was briefly detained and released by police for attempting to help a female photographer who was rushed by SOO. Two arrests were made against the white supremacist aggressors, and one racist who was spoiling for a fight was briefly removed by police. Former Proud Boy and CNP support Lawrence attempted to assault an antifascist protester right in front of HPS officers. Many on the far-right side showed up in combat gear (helmets, protective clothing.)
Sat. June 15th - Hate groups target Hamilton's Pride celebration at Gage Park, some wearing body armour, and clearly looking for violence.

Chris Vanderweide (red helmet) assaulting counter-protesters at Gage Park. Vanderweide has since become a cult-hero on the Far-Right, often dubbed "Canadian Pan Man", after Proud Boy Ethan Nordean. Vanderweide's behaviour on social media is that of a man who is not remorseful for what he has done, but rather a protector and defender, against what he calls "evil." Vanderweide was a key instigator in the Toronto Eaton Centre brawl the weekend following Hamilton Pride.

Tues. June 18th - Public meeting at City Hall re: Pride; Cedar Hopperton gave their “We see you” speech to the police in the room
Sat. June 22nd - Cedar Hopperton is arrested for their alleged involvement with the Hamilton Pride Defence. Cedar maintains they were never at Pride, respecting the conditions put on them after their arrest following Locke St. Cedar is the first person arrested following the Hamilton Pride attack.
Mon. June 24th - Cedar Hopperton goes on hunger strike; statement from The Tower is published.
Wed. June 26th - A second individual is charged for their defence of Hamilton Pride.
Wed. June 26th - Police charge Vanderweide.
Wed. June 26th - Coun. Brad Clark successfully put forward a motion to “gather evidence of criminal behaviour” to apply for a court injunction against Yellow Vest protesters to prevent them from demonstrating in front of Hamilton City Hall.
Fri. June 28th - Another individual is charged for their defence of Hamilton Pride. Police also arrest a fourth person for their defence of Hamilton Pride.
Fri. June 28th - HPS attempt to arrest someone for chalking the sidewalk. They are thwarted after others confront them.
Fri. June 28th - Following a protest at the mayor’s house over the city’s handling of the Pride attack, a woman is arrested.

JULY 2019:

Mon. July 8th - It comes to light that Cedar Hopperton’s arrest was not regarding their alleged activity at Pride, but instead a response to their speech at City Hall on June 19th. Cedar’s parole continues to be revoked. The parole board maintained that Hopperton was inciting violence in an anti-police speech.
Fri. July 12th - Canadian Civil Liberties Assoc. announces they are looking into Hopperton’s detention.
Tues. July 16th - Cedar Hopperton is released from jail. The reasons for their incarceration continue to confuse and puzzle the community.
Thurs. July 18th - Chris Vanderweide is released from jail. Bail conditions stipulate that he must reside at his surety, Joshua Peyton's, home. Given that Peyton is also a hatriot, this seems like a spectacularly bad idea.

AUGUST 2019:

Sat. Aug 3rd - Lily allegedly assaults a counter-protester outside City Hall. No charges laid, despite her apparently pulling out clumps of hair.
Sat. Aug 10th - Martin Brousseau drove his hate bus onto the sidewalk and towards counter protesters at the weekly Hamilton Yellow Vests protest/counter protest at City Hall. Despite this provocative move, and despite stating online that he had "zap straps" and was going to detain counter-protesters, no charges were laid. We have since learned that Martin Brousseau has a history of violence.
Sat. Aug 10th - One charge was laid against an anti-fascist protester for supposedly causing a "disturbance." The antifascist protester alleges they were kept in a hot police car for an extended amount of time, causing suffering. According to eyewitnesses, the main instigator was a Yellow Vester who goes by “Jack” and was also present at Pride. He is known for wearing a Confederate Flag shirt and being aggressive. Yellow Vests and other far-right celebrated the arrest, and became emboldened.
Tues. Aug. 13th - Marc Lemire and the City of Hamilton "mutually agree" to end his employment in the IT department. The investigation concluded that he did not use his role to access private information of City employees or residents of Hamilton. However, due to the City's decision to keep most of the findings confidential, many questions remain, including why Lemire's name was absent from most public directories.
Sat. Aug 17th - Yellow Vesters attack counter-protester. Duke Willis travelled to this rally from Niagara, with the intent to coach Hamilton YVs in “tactical manoeuvring” and help them build a “stronghold.” He carried a blunt object like a cane.
Thurs. Aug 22nd - Lily posts a video regarding Soufi’s restaurant after the eldest son of the Al-Soufi family accompanied Kevin Metcalf to a court date against Rick Boswick for uttering threats. Campaign of harassment against the Al-Soufis begins.

SEPTEMBER 2019:

Wed. Sept 4th - City council votes to reject Paul Fromm and Lisa Thompson's requests to speak to council.
Sun. Sept. 29th - PPC counter-protest outside Mohawk College. Three anti-fascists appear to block the path of an elderly woman and her companion who were attempting to enter the building. At least one counter-protester alleges that he was assaulted by a Proud Boy. It is alleged that Proud Boys worked security for Bernier (which was confirmed via the Proud Boys Canada Telegram channel) and attacked a peaceful counter-protester.
Mon. Sept. 30th - Yellow Vests and assorted racists begin their campaign to identify and harass the three who appeared to block the elderly woman. Alaa Al Soufi was quickly identified, and his family's Toronto-based restaurant, Soufi's, was relentlessly targeted. At this point, the harassment against the Al-Soufis escalates.

OCTOBER 2019:

Sat. Oct. 5th - Day 2 of the Gandhi 150 Peace Conference. Organizers invited Yellow Vesters, including Lily and Justin Long, to participate in their Peace March and speeches outside City Hall. Lily takes the opportunity to film and harass community members, while organizers call them "brothers." Mayor Fred Eisenberger reportedly participated in photo ops with the Yellow Vesters. While Day 1 of the conference included multiple community and city leaders participating in proactive breakout sessions, Day 2 was a stark contrast, and some attendees spoke out.

Sat. Oct. 5th - On the same day Yellow Vesters were invited to participate in the Peace March, antisemitic graffiti was discovered outside Beth Jacob Synagogue.

Photo credit: Beth Jacob Synagogue, edited/published by Global News

Tues. Oct. 8th - Soufi's restaurant could no longer operate safely and announced that they were closing permanently due to the racist harassment and death threats they received.
Thurs. Oct 10th - HPS arrest and charge two 19-year-old males with mischief under $5,000 for writing hate graffiti in chalk outside Beth Jacob Synagogue on Oct. 5th.
Wed. Oct. 23rd - HPS announces that they have arrested and charged 3 anti-racists, Alaa Al Soufi, Kevin Metcalf, and Maximiliano Herrera, in connection with the September 29th CPP counter-protest outside Mohawk College. Meanwhile, those assaulted by Bernier's security detail, CPP supporters, and Proud Boys have not seen any charges brought against their assailants. It was later announced a 4th protester, Victoria Wojciechowska, was also arrested, bringing the total to 4. HPS has still not arrested any of the far-right agitators, despite violence being caught on film and complaints made on the scene.
Tues. Oct 29th - Hamilton Anti-Racist Resource Centre (HARRC) released the results of a summer study on racism in Hamilton.

NOVEMBER 2019:

Wed. Nov. 13th - Hamilton City Council ratifies Nrinder Naan's (Ward 3) motion to develop a multi-purpose "community hub" for LGBTQ and racialized Hamiltonians.
Thrus. Nov. 14th - The Police Services Board agrees to hire toronto lawyer, Scott Bergman, of Cooper, Sandler, Shime and Bergman LLP to review HPS' conduct at Hamilton Pride.

DECEMBER 2019:

Sun. Dec. 1st (approx) - Lily apparently moves to Toronto. On Sat. Dec. 7th, she holds her first Yellow Vest protest in that city's west end. It is unclear whether Lily will commute to Hamilton for any protests, or what impact her departure will have on Hamilton events, if any.
Tues. Dec. 3rd - HPS announces that they have charged Michael Lickers with Assault Level One and Intimidation as a result of their investigation into the PPC counter-protest outside Mohawk College protest on Sept. 29th. They also laid additional charges against Alaa Al-Soufi including Charges: Assault Level One, Theft Under $5,000, Intimidation, Disguise with Intent. Along with this press release, HPS shares the photos of 3 individuals they're looking to identify in order to lay charges. While it is not confirmed, it is strongly suspected all 3 are anti-racists.

Hi there.

Not sure if you’ve seen this, but we compiled a helpful list of incidents where the far-right violently attacked protesters. We haven’t seen any arrests, so we thought this could be useful. Looking forward to the Proud Boys in handcuffs. https://t.co/v4TFdG1czA
— Yellow Vests Canada Exposed 🧛‍♀️🧛‍♂️ (@VestsCanada) December 4, 2019

Sat. Dec. 7th - Police arrest Rebecca Long for kicking an anti-racist in the head "like a soccer ball." To date, Long is only the second racist/Yellow Vester we are aware of who has been charged in Hamilton this year, and the first to be charged at a Saturday Yellow Vest protest. The first was Chris Vanderweide, and it is unknown whether the two charged in the Beth Jacob graffiti incident are connected to hate groups.

This isn’t the first time a Yellow Vest has attacked someone at #HamOnt City Hall’s forecourt.

It’s just the first time the @HamiltonPolice have bothered to arrest someone other than the victim.#YellowVestsCanadaIsAHateGroup https://t.co/Yfw0kYWHiu
— The Hungover Pundit (@hungover_the) December 9, 2019

Wed. Dec. 11th - ID Canada Stickers found and removed in Hamilton.

Wed. Dec. 11th - Article published by Samantha Craggs outlines concerns raised at a public meeting about the City's decision to take over the Hamilton Anti-Racist Resource Centre (HARRC) for the next 6-12 months. As a result, the Centre would lose its physical space and be reduced to an online and telephone reporting system.

"We know from the data that no one will use that centre if there's a city-run centre that's only an online reporting system and a phone line. Then we lose that centre. The centre that everyone laboured for. There's a lot of not listening that's repeating." - Dr. Ameil Joseph, McMaster University

Wed. Dec. 11th - Hamilton City Council overturns it's earlier decision about HARRC and instead approves a plan to set up a community panel of racialized Hamiltonians to help guide the process of making HARRC an independent entity.

A new motion from @BCouncillor re: the anti-racism resource centre was just distributed. Since I know there are twitter folks in the audience interested in this, here it is pic.twitter.com/ptFGlM4kzl
— Samantha Craggs ⛄️ (@SamCraggsCBC) December 11, 2019

Thurs. Dec. 12th - HPS votes in favour of accepting the terms of reference their independent investigator, lawyer Scott Bergman, put forward for conducting his investigation into HPS' handling of Pride. This includes examining whether police culture contributed "to the violence, and distrust between police and the LGBTQ community." Community members remain cautiously optimistic.

JANUARY 2020:

Tues. Jan 7th - Rebecca Long's scheduled court appearance for assaulting an anti-racist on Dec. 7th 2019.

APRIL 2020:

Thurs. April 30th - Deadline for lawyer Scott Bergman's independant review of HPS' handling of Hamilton Pride 2019.

SEPTEMBER 2020:

Thurs. Sept 10th - Tentatively the trial date for Chris Vanderweide.

MISC:

Over the last several months, Yellow Vesters such as Rick Boswick and Lily have been thanking the HPS for their service, and clearly indicating they believe the police are on their side Lily often attended rallies holding a sign that thanked HPS.