The anti-immigrant rally set for this past weekend in Peterborough Ontario, was called for by a small group called the Canadian Nationalist Front which has typically been labelled as white supremacists.
CNF leader Kevin Goudreau denies such charges although he has a large nazi tatoo on his chest. In the end he didn’t show for his rally. He later tweeted that he felt it would be unsafe to come to the event set to take place in the central square of the small city. He said he decided not to come, ‘out of consideration for people’s safety”.
Although the city said last week it would grant a permit for the CNF rally under rules of free speech, albeit reluctantly, a permit was not granted as Goudreau did not fill out the proper paperwork on time.
About 1,000 anti-fascist/anti-hate protestors did show up, among them many seniors and children. A number of protesters however later masked their faces to hide their identity, and some were carrying red flags. A group of anti-fascist protesters then turned on the one or possibly two men who did show up apparently sympathetic to the CNF cause.
Although it is not clear if they he/they were actual CNF members. One man wearing a black neo-nazi T- shirt visible under his open jacket, was assaulted and slightly injured. He was escorted away by police for his own protection, while a 22-year–old was arrested on assault charges.
Police also arrested a woman who assaulted a police officer, but later let her go after obtaining her name and address as the crowd surrounded the police car.
- Postmedia Joelle Kovich-violence erupts
- CBC News- violence at rally
- Peterborough Examiner- with video clips
- RCI-small city, big issue
Peterborough police Chief Murray Rodd, is quoted in by CBC News saying the demonstrations initially were peaceful against what he labelled as “likely properly characterized and identified as a hate propaganda event”.
He then went on to say, “One faction that appears to have been responsible for any violence that occurred would be the Peterborough anti-fascist movement. They were identified by being unidentifiable, they were wearing masks … and they seemed to be at the root of the obstruction of the police and our attempt to execute our lawful duties with respect to effecting arrests”.
Police said they will be reviewing various videos on order to identify, “who potentially could be paid, professional antagonists and representatives of various factions of hate and we will analyse it all”
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