Aryan Guard
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Aryan Guard is an Alberta-based neo-Nazi group with members primarily located in the city of Calgary.[1] According to members of the group, the Aryan Guard has around 20 members as of August 2007. Their website contains images of members sieg heiling and celebrating the birth of Adolf Hitler with a swastika-shaped birthday cake.[2][3]
The Aryan Guard was founded in late 2006 but became noteworthy in 2007 when members began a flyering campaign targeted at immigrants. Some of these flyers had been surreptitiously placed in the free Calgary arts and culture newspaper, “Fast Forward” by Aryan Guard members. [4] Through the research efforts of The Friends of the Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies, it is suspected that the individual responsible for the flyers may be Bill Noble, a neo-Nazi well-known to law enforcement for his online activism and who is currently charged under Section 319 of the Canadian Criminal Code for willfull promotion of hatred. The Aryan Guard's website is also registered in Noble's name. [5] [6]
At a human rights panel discussion at the Glenbow Museum on August 14, 2007, the topic of the Aryan Guard was discussed. Although the flyers were, “racially charged” and “disturbing,” Inspector Bob Couture of the Calgary Police Services and a speaker on the panel, stated that, “there was not enough basis to take action against the group.” [7]
In response to the Aryan Guard's activities in the city, Calgary anti-racist activists held a rally in support of Calgary's multiculturalism and opposition to racism and racist movements. Some members of the Aryan Guard organized a counter-protest in response to the anti-racist rally.[8] On October 14, 2007, approximately 15 Aryan Guard members protested at Calgary City Hall but were drastically outnumbered by anti-racism protesters. Police were forced to step in as a safety precaution. [9][10]
On March 21, 2008, United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racism, the Aryan Guard staged a demonstration in downtown Calgary. More than 40[11] supporters of the Aryan Guard faced an angry crowd of 200+ anti-racist protesters, including anarchists, communists and union leaders, who prevented the Guard from reaching their planned meeting place at the Mewata Armouries. Police then formed a human barrier between the two groups and blocked the movement of the counter-protesters while escorting the Aryan Guard down Stephen Avenue and up the steps of City Hall, where they proudly waved flags proclaiming "White Pride Worldwide".[12] Members of the Aryan Guard also taunted Jason Devine and Bonnie Collins, local anti-racism activists whose home was fire bombed on February 12, 2008, while they and their four children were inside.[13]
As the demonstration wound down, members of the Aryan Guard were escorted to a waiting school bus by police and evacuated from the scene. An unknown number of anti-racism protesters, who had been under video surveillance during the demonstration, were detained as they left and forced to have their identification recorded by police.[14]
[edit] References
- ^ "Friends of the Simon Wiesenthal Center advises of Calgary-based neo-nazi’s recent activities", David Eisenstadt, The Communications Group, CNW Group 19 August 2007
- ^ "Hate groups need constant vigilance", Kris Kotarski, The Calgary Herald (Calgary, Alberta), pg A12, 14 August 2007
- ^ Aryan Guard website, (Calgary, Alberta), 19 August 2007
- ^ "Hate groups need constant vigilance", Kris Kotarski, The Calgary Herald (Calgary, Alberta), pg A12, 14 August 2007
- ^ "Friends of the Simon Wiesenthal Center advises of Calgary-based neo-nazi’s recent activities", David Eisenstadt, The Communications Group, CNW Group 19 August 2007
- ^ "Cyber hate-monger targeting Calgary?", Pablo Fernandez, The Calgary Sun (Calgary, Alberta), pg A5, 14 August 2007
- ^ "Jewish and minority groups condemn racist’s attempt to stir trouble in Calgary", Alberta Index (Calgary, Alberta), 15 August 2007
- ^ "Racists interrupt rallies", Katie Schneider, The Calgary Sun 26 August 2007
- ^ Tarina White, "White supremacists scuffle with anti-racism group", Calgary Sun, October 14, 2007.
- ^ Sherri Zickefoose, "White supremacist rally ends with arrests", Calgary Herald (canada.com), October 14, 2007.
- ^ Jamie Komarnicki, "Anti-racists clash with Aryan Guard", (canada.com), March 21, 2008.
- ^ "Skinhead rally causes clash", Pablo Fernandez, Calgary Sun (Calgary, Alberta), pg 3, 22 March 2008
- ^ "Faces of hate unashamedly spew message", Pablo Fernandez, Calgary Sun (Calgary, Alberta), pg 4, 23 March 2008
- ^ "Faces of hate unashamedly spew message", Pablo Fernandez, Calgary Sun (Calgary, Alberta), pg 4, 23 March 2008
[edit] External links
- Aryan Guard Calgary's Official Web Site
- Skinhead rally causes clash
- Faces of hate unashamedly spew message
- Self-proclaimed white nationalist arrested, ‘hate-crimes file,’ police say
- Calgary’s deputy mayor rebukes newspaper for hate literature flyer, demands apology
- Food Not Bombs targeted: Non-profit group faces neo-Nazi intimidation
- Food Not Bombs Confronted by Nazis
