An activist group is being vocal about its opposition to the People’s Party of Canada.
It’s the new political party created by former Conservative MP Maxime Bernier.
Members of the Anti Racist Solidary Network plan protest at a meet-and-greet event in Thunder Bay tonight.
Organizer Melody, who didn’t want her last name used, says it’s to draw attention to what they say are the party’s racist views.
“There’s many photos, as well as tweets by party members, of awfully racist things,” Melody claims, “And photos of Maxime Bernier with a white nationalist group while they’re making the white nationalist symbol, which is the OK [hand] sign.”
The PPC also came under fire in June after the Twitter account for the Burlington, Ontario riding association tweeted a racist meme. The tweet has since been deleted. PPC officials told media the tweet doesn’t reflect the party’s views, and that the person behind the account has been removed from the riding association.
“If we let them go uncontested, it makes racism more accessible, and minimizes the danger of these beliefs,” Melody adds.
Thunder Bay-Rainy River PPC candidate Andrew Hartnell says he’s shocked by the criticism. He feels the party is being misunderstood.
“Things that are being said, it’s the candidate’s opinion, and like everyone else in this country, you’re allowed to have your opinion. That’s one of the things about freedom of speech. Freedom of speech is one of the biggest parts of our platform.” says Hartnell
Hartnell says the party originally planned to hold the event at the Sleeping Giant Brewery, but it was canceled after backlash on social media, including from the Anti Racist Solidarity Network.
He alleges organizers of the original meet-and-greet received “threatening emails and hate speech”.
The Facebook event for the protest says the PPC is “[a]n extremely fascist and racist political party”.
“They’re basically calling me, personally, fascist and racist,” Hartnell argues. “That’s not who I am and I don’t believe that’s what my party is like. There’s a lot of fear-mongering and misinformation.”
On social media, the Thunder Bay PPC say the meet-and-greet will also address protesters’ claims that the Party is homophobic, transphobic, racist, fascists, white supremacists, and most of all an extreme right wing party.”
