Justice camp protesters concerned by Nazi salute

The protesters at the Justice For Our Stolen Children camp faced what they’re calling intimidation on Saturday, after an apparent counter-protester raised his hand in a Nazi salute and yelled “heil Hitler!”

The campers captured his behaviour on video and called police, who were dispatched to the scene across from the Saskatchewan Legislative Building at 1:36 p.m.

Officers confirmed that the 56-year-old man had a kitchen knife, which they took from him. He then voluntarily packed up a small tent he had set up and left Wascana Park.

After the fascist gesture, the video shows the man return to his truck and grab what appears to be a marker.

He then wrote “Free Camping ” on a sign, while what looked like a steak knife handle stuck out of the ground.

Longtime protest-camper Prescott Demas said he approached the man after another person noticed a tent was going up on the north side of the camp.

“He did have a knife in his hand, but he was more or less waving his other hand,” said Demas. “He was saying get away from his tent.”

Demas said he asked the man why he was there.

“He said ‘I’m protesting,’ ” Demas recalled. “He said his German rights are being violated … he gave a couple of Nazi salutes.”

He said he felt the man showed an aggressive demeanour and was acting to intimidate the campers, though Demas said he did not feel personally threatened.

Camp supporter Chasity Delorme said she felt afraid, especially since there were children in the area. She said that’s why she called police.

“We noticed that it was actually safety issues and threats and racial comments made toward Prescott and the camp and the people here,” she said.

“It was definitely a safety concern when there’s a weapon involved and racial slurs being expressed.”

Delorme said police responded promptly and the man’s tone changed when officers approached him.

“There was officers that were very understanding and helped us through that process of feeling safe,” she said. “We were relieved they were there.”

But she said she found it “problematic” that the police said the man also had a right to protest, and that he was exercising his freedom of speech.

Police confirmed in an email to media that they advised the man that he was free to remain in the park, but that any alleged threats would be investigated.

Asked if the man’s behaviour is being investigated as a hate crime, police spokesperson Elizabeth Popowich said only that the matter is still under investigation.

Demas said he agrees that people have a right to protest, but he suggested that “instigating” against a peaceful protest crosses a line. He said people come around every night to honk and yell stuff at the camp, but they are rarely so confrontational as the man who saluted Hitler on Saturday.

Camp supporter Robyn Pitawanakwat said she’d welcome anyone wanting to protest any issue, but intimidation and hate speech are not welcome at the camp.

“We agree with the right to protest for anyone. It’s when people come in here in an intimidating and violent way — especially when children are here,” she said. “Doing Nazi salutes is not a protest.”