Arrests made at People’s Party fundraiser
Heavy police presence as protesters clash on Mohawk College campus at event featuring party leader Maxime Bernier
At least five protesters were arrested at Mohawk College before a controversial People’s Party of Canada fundraising event even began.
Roughly 100 protesters descended on the college Sunday at least one hour before the start of the event at 7 p.m. featuring leader Maxime Bernier and YouTube personality and political commentator Dave Rubin at the McIntyre Performing Arts Centre.
Counter protesters were also present with a physical fight between some from each group on the college grounds in front of the theatre entrance resulting in the first two arrests around 6:30 p.m. Three more people were arrested in the next half-hour.
Protesters blocked a bus in front of the theatre for about 15 minutes full of attendees who paid for tickets to the fundraiser before police intervened. Activists also formed lines in attempts to block individuals from entering the theatre while shouting at them.
Mohawk College had extra security for the event as well as 10 paid-duty police officers in anticipation of demonstrations against the party’s advocacy of severe immigration cuts, the dismantling of multiculturalism and potential newcomers being interviewed to ensure their views align with Canadian values.
Hamilton police also had a heavy presence, sending members of its public order unit which has been present at weekly showdowns since June at the city hall forecourt between yellow vest protesters and anti-hate demonstrators including anarchists.
Protesters carried signs reading “Immigrants welcome here” and “Hate speech is not the same as free speech” while some counter protesters wore the red hats from U.S. President Donald Trump’s election campaign reading, “Make America great again.” The majority were gathered in front of the theatre entrance which is close to West 5th Street while groups demonstrated in front of the college on Fennell Avenue.
Protesters left Mohawk campus at around 7:30 p.m. As protesters walked away, at least one counter protester threatened violence if they came back, but said he was kidding as an officer approached him. All was calm inside the event, billed as fighting back against censorship and discrimination, in contrast to the showdown outside, with only supporters in the ticketbuying audience.
Critics of the event, including Evan Balgord, executive director of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, said Mohawk should have declined to rent the space to the PPC in the first place.
Rubin suggested on Twitter on Sept. 25 that the event may be cancelled due to the security concerns. But the party said in a press release that it will “move forward despite planned protests and escalating costs due to pressure tactics adopted by Far-Left activists seeking to cancel the event.”
Rubin set off a firestorm after tweeting Wednesday, “I have just offered to cover the 10x security fee myself.” Bernier’s twitter account responded, “Thank you Dave for your generosity and support in the battle for free speech in Canada.”
Hamilton lawyer and watchdog Craig Burley made a complaint to Elections Canada Thursday, alleging the offer and even Rubin’s appearance at the fundraising event was contrary to rules regarding campaign donations.
Mohawk is charging the extra security and the paid duty officers to the party, but college spokesperson Bill Steinburg says the final bill hasn’t been tallied yet.
Speaking to reporters after the event, Bernier said that Rubin plans to pay for the extra security, and he was unaware of any perceived contravention of campaign rules.