‘We can’t tolerate it’
Anti-racists protest against neo-Nazi believed to live in Rosemont area
A group of people calling themselves “anti-racists” protested on the streets of Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie on Saturday, briefly gathering where an influential neo-Nazi is believed to live in the neighbourhood.
Before the demonstration began, a handful of residents expressed concern over a recent spate of hate-related incidents in Montreal.
“Last week, we saw graffiti that glorified Richard Spencer, on May 1, we saw someone go on his roof with a Nazi flag in Parc-Extension,” one resident, who refused to give his name, told the crowd while it gathered outside Beaubien métro station.
“What we’re seeing is the farright taking up more and more space, spreading heinous ideologies that incite violence,” he said. “We can’t tolerate it.”
Last week, the Montreal Gazette published an exposé on an influential neo-Nazi who goes by the name Charles Zeiger, who lives and recruits fellow neo-Nazis in Montreal.
The Gazette investigation linked Zeiger to Gabriel Sohier Chaput, a local IT contractor who lives in Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie.
“We denounce the presence of this Nazi and other racists in our neighbourhood, or anywhere,” the protest’s organizers said in a statement issued before the march. “This hateful racist and (misogynistic person) deserves to be exposed, as a means for our community to (protect) itself.”
Alternating between pro-immigration slogans and chants of “make racists afraid again” and “punch a Nazi in the face,” the group made its way through the neighbourhood, heading to an address that’s been linked to Chaput. By the time they got there, the apartment building was heavily guarded by police. Confused and curious neighbours looked on from their windows as protesters called out Chaput’s name.
Over the past week, posters identifying Chaput and giving his address have been affixed around the city before being removed by police officers. Demonstrators handed out more posters on Saturday, encouraging people to hang them back up around the borough.
When the group headed toward a different address where organizers said “another racist” lived, the protest was cut off by police officers in riot gear. A police bus and van blocked the street.
In the distance, several people gathered in front of the address, waiting for the protesters. Some were wearing T-shirts and sweatshirts displaying the Soldiers of Odin logo, a known far-right group. Police officers kept the two groups separated. After a brief face-off, the protest ended without incident.
The previous weekend, about 200 people marched through the streets of Parc-Extension to denounce a man who waved a Nazi flag from the roof of a condo building earlier this month.
Last week, hate graffiti, exalting members of the far right, was spray painted on buildings on Laurier Ave. in the Plateau—Mont-Royal borough.
Mayor Valérie Plante denounced the incidents.
“I know that just as what happened with the (Nazi) flag, the Montreal police are following this very closely,” Plante told reporters.
“It’s unacceptable and in the end, if the population is aware of an act that incites hate — and for me this is one — they have to say something. There’s no place for this in Montreal.”