Latest news with #neo-Nazis
2 days ago
- Politics
'Active clubs' are all over Canada. What are they?
The members of these groups, known in white nationalist communities as active clubs, are hiding in plain sight. They obscure their faces and locations in social media posts, but a months-long investigation (new window) , in collaboration with The Fifth Estate , has uncovered exactly where they are operating. What are 'active clubs'? Active clubs tend to be male-focused groups that promote white supremacist ideals. Their activities range from public protests to vandalism campaigns to social media posts. They expect the current political order will be swept aside, potentially by force, for a new white-focused society. Antisemitic and anti-immigrant themes are common, and some groups use Nazi iconography. Names of the specific groups include Second Sons and Nationalist-13. Second Sons was founded by Jeremy MacKenzie, creator of the controversial right-wing network Dialagon, which the RCMP has labelled (new window) an extremist, militia-like organization. However, these groups are not a singular movement. They are part of a decentralized white supremacist and neo-Nazi network. Where did they come from? The idea was started by two neo-Nazis, according to the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism. One is a Russian. The other is American Robert Rundo, who is responsible for spreading the concept of setting up racist fight clubs. The U.S. Attorney's Office in California says Rundo has been doing it since 2017. He called it the Rise Above Movement, and spent the next few years setting up an international network of such groups in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia and elsewhere. These are what became active clubs. Last December, Rundo was sentenced to two years in prison for planning and engaging in riots across California. This defendant sought to further his white supremacist ideology by plotting riots and engaging in violence at political rallies, said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada. Not just boxing clubs They appear to be groups of men interested in fitness and martial arts, and they recruit others to join them. But that hides a dark reality, says Mack Lamoureux at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, a London-based think-tank that studies authoritarianism, hate and extremism. The minute you peel back even the slightest layer of this onion, it becomes far more insidious, he said. These are virulent white supremacists. Enlarge image (new window) NS13 members have trained at this undisclosed location on multiple occasions. Comparing it to pictures from public parks in southern Ontario revealed it was the John Wright Soccer Complex in Brantford, west of Hamilton, Ont. Details that gave it away included the gazebo ceiling and the piece missing from it, combined with the soccer goalposts in the background. Photo: CBC In Nationalist-13 videos, their faces are hidden with the Totenkopf , the grinning death mask used by the Nazi SS. In one video, a member shows off a lighter emblazoned with a Nazi swastika. The black, grey and white banner of the Second Sons is a deliberate echo of the Red Ensign, Canada's original colonial flag, which was replaced by the maple leaf in 1965. White nationalists call the Red Ensign Canada's true flag, representing the country before they say it was spoiled by immigrants. These guys hide their faces and locations. How do we know where they are? Covered faces and blurred parts of videos were not enough to fully conceal the identities and locations of Nationalist-13 and Second Sons members. The CBC visual investigations team was able to uncover the location of their training sessions by matching up distinctive features of the inside of boxing clubs, such as padded walls, as well as the specific shape and position of windows. Enlarge image (new window) The location of the NS13 video on the left was unknown, until CBC's visual investigations team compared the distinctive windows above the boxing ring to those in the Amazing Fitness gym, on the right, in Hamilton, Ont. Photo: CBC Some prominent group members also have clearly visible tattoos that can be compared with other photos of them, which allowed the CBC team to confirm their identities even though their faces were obscured. What's been the reaction? Owners of gyms who CBC News approached said they were unaware some of the people using their facilities were actually fascist fight clubs. John Moran, the manager at Amazing Fitness, said we have no affiliation whatsoever with these individuals or their ideology, and we categorically reject any form of hate or discrimination. Rob Barham, the owner of Hammer BJJ, said I don't affiliate myself with … any sort of white supremacy groups. Kevin Mans, owner of Niagara BJJ in Welland, said that as soon as he saw the photos CBC shared, he called his staff and told them these individuals couldn't come back. Hamilton City councillor Nrinder Nann is alarmed. I think it's a serious public safety concern. The rise of extremist organizing is a national security threat and it isn't an issue to take lightly. Lyndon George, executive director of the Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre, said given the violent nature of this ideology, these groups shouldn't be able to operate with impunity in public places. We shouldn't have to wait for that violence to happen for there to be a response, said George. Enlarge image (new window) CBC's visual investigations team matched up distinctive clothing and tattoos to confirm the identity of white supremacist and Nationalist-13 member Brandon Lapointe. Photo: CBC Is this just happening in the Hamilton area? No. Active clubs can be found in various locations across Canada and in dozens of places throughout the U.S. One in Tennessee has been widely reported (new window) on. There are 187 active clubs in 27 countries (new window) , according to the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism. They are seen as the next generation of white nationalist organizations in Canada, and they are in touch with similar groups elsewhere. [Canadian active clubs] have very, very deep connections with other far-right and extremist organizations, said Lamoureux. This includes America Patriot Front, which is probably the largest and most active white supremacist organization.
AU Financial Review
2 days ago
- Politics
- AU Financial Review
Controversial MP's supporters storm Liberal election
The Victorian Liberal Party is faced with a prodigiously unpopular state Labor government. And yet, it cannot seem to manoeuvre itself into electability. Party moderates and elders hold firebrand upper house MP Moira Deeming and her successful defamation suit against ex-party leader John Pesutto responsible. Deeming's attendance at a controversial rally gate-crashed by neo-Nazis, and Pesutto's subsequent (and reversed) decision to expel her from the party room has ripped the party apart.
AU Financial Review
2 days ago
- Politics
- AU Financial Review
Moira Deeming: Controversial MP's supporters storm Liberal election
The Victorian Liberal Party is faced with a prodigiously unpopular state Labor government. And yet, it cannot seem to manoeuvre itself into electability. Party moderates and elders hold firebrand upper house MP Moira Deeming and her successful defamation suit against ex-party leader John Pesutto responsible. Deeming's attendance at a controversial rally gate-crashed by neo-Nazis, and Pesutto's subsequent (and reversed) decision to expel her from the party room has ripped the party apart.
The Age
6 days ago
- The Age
Anonymous ‘group' claims responsibility for attack on Israel-linked military parts maker
The individual goes on to threaten violence against Lovitt Technologies employees: 'Every worker in this supply chain is complicit … We will decide your fate as you have decided the fate of millions. 'For the past few months, we have been closely watching you. We have your addresses. All the information we have about you will be distributed to our underground networks.' The video began circulating widely online on Monday after it was uploaded to an anonymous Instagram account, but it was first reported by The Guardian late last week. A Victoria Police spokesperson said on Monday that the investigation into the vandal attack had been escalated to its counterterrorism unit. 'The matter is now being investigated by the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, which includes personnel from Victoria Police, the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation. 'Investigators are aware of a video which has been circulating where a group has claimed responsibility for the incident. This video is being reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation,' the spokesperson said. Loading Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, said failing to confront the threat of extremist behaviour would harm Australia. 'Seeing a group resembling an al-Qaeda terror cell openly pledging to carry out criminal acts is chilling and disturbing. It doesn't matter that they think they're doing something just and righteous – Islamist terrorists and neo-Nazis think that too. 'What matters is that we remain a country of laws and not allow bands of zealots to decide what is a legitimate target for violence and criminal acts. ' Dvir Abramovich, chair of the Anti-Defamation Commission described the video as a 'manifesto of violence'. 'The people targeted in this video are ordinary Australians. Parents who pack school lunches. Children who kiss them goodnight. 'They were not just threatened, they were told they were being watched. We now face a chilling question: what happens when a campaign of hate leaves the internet and enters your driveway? What happens when slogans turn to gasoline? This is not an isolated episode.' The vandal attack occurred the same night that Sydney man Angelo Loras allegedly attempted to firebomb an East Melbourne synagogue with children and families inside, and 20 people stormed Israeli restaurant Miznon in Melbourne's CBD. Police have not found a formal link between the three incidents or determined if the firebombing was an act of terror. A Lovitt Technologies spokesperson declined to comment, citing the police investigation. Loading The video footage emerged as Victorian Opposition Leader Brad Battin called on the state's new police chief, Mike Bush, to explain what he planned to do to stop expressions of anti-Jewish hatred at public demonstrations. Bush has officially been in the job for two weeks and attended the first meeting of Premier Jacinta Allan's new anti-hate taskforce. Battin expressed frustration that during last Sunday's regular pro-Palestine rally in central Melbourne, protesters chanted 'Death to the IDF' and displayed swastikas without intervention by police who were monitoring the march. 'Mike Bush, obviously, he is fairly new in the job and we will give him the benefit of the doubt, but he needs to be coming out and explaining what he is doing when it comes to the protests here in this state,' Battin said. 'Is he acting on policy from the Victorian government or is he going to go out and start acting to ensure that we can take back the streets and not have this hate speech on Victorian streets? Battin restated his support for the re-introduction of move-on laws for police and backed a recommendation by Australia's Special Envoy for Antisemitism, Jillian Segal, to withdraw government funding from public universities, broadcasters and other organisations which tolerated antisemitism.
Sydney Morning Herald
6 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Anonymous ‘group' claims responsibility for attack on Israel-linked military parts maker
The individual goes on to threaten violence against Lovitt Technologies employees: 'Every worker in this supply chain is complicit … We will decide your fate as you have decided the fate of millions. 'For the past few months, we have been closely watching you. We have your addresses. All the information we have about you will be distributed to our underground networks.' The video began circulating widely online on Monday after it was uploaded to an anonymous Instagram account, but it was first reported by The Guardian late last week. A Victoria Police spokesperson said on Monday that the investigation into the vandal attack had been escalated to its counterterrorism unit. 'The matter is now being investigated by the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, which includes personnel from Victoria Police, the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation. 'Investigators are aware of a video which has been circulating where a group has claimed responsibility for the incident. This video is being reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation,' the spokesperson said. Loading Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, said failing to confront the threat of extremist behaviour would harm Australia. 'Seeing a group resembling an al-Qaeda terror cell openly pledging to carry out criminal acts is chilling and disturbing. It doesn't matter that they think they're doing something just and righteous – Islamist terrorists and neo-Nazis think that too. 'What matters is that we remain a country of laws and not allow bands of zealots to decide what is a legitimate target for violence and criminal acts. ' Dvir Abramovich, chair of the Anti-Defamation Commission described the video as a 'manifesto of violence'. 'The people targeted in this video are ordinary Australians. Parents who pack school lunches. Children who kiss them goodnight. 'They were not just threatened, they were told they were being watched. We now face a chilling question: what happens when a campaign of hate leaves the internet and enters your driveway? What happens when slogans turn to gasoline? This is not an isolated episode.' The vandal attack occurred the same night that Sydney man Angelo Loras allegedly attempted to firebomb an East Melbourne synagogue with children and families inside, and 20 people stormed Israeli restaurant Miznon in Melbourne's CBD. Police have not found a formal link between the three incidents or determined if the firebombing was an act of terror. A Lovitt Technologies spokesperson declined to comment, citing the police investigation. Loading The video footage emerged as Victorian Opposition Leader Brad Battin called on the state's new police chief, Mike Bush, to explain what he planned to do to stop expressions of anti-Jewish hatred at public demonstrations. Bush has officially been in the job for two weeks and attended the first meeting of Premier Jacinta Allan's new anti-hate taskforce. Battin expressed frustration that during last Sunday's regular pro-Palestine rally in central Melbourne, protesters chanted 'Death to the IDF' and displayed swastikas without intervention by police who were monitoring the march. 'Mike Bush, obviously, he is fairly new in the job and we will give him the benefit of the doubt, but he needs to be coming out and explaining what he is doing when it comes to the protests here in this state,' Battin said. 'Is he acting on policy from the Victorian government or is he going to go out and start acting to ensure that we can take back the streets and not have this hate speech on Victorian streets? Battin restated his support for the re-introduction of move-on laws for police and backed a recommendation by Australia's Special Envoy for Antisemitism, Jillian Segal, to withdraw government funding from public universities, broadcasters and other organisations which tolerated antisemitism.
