A gathering of over 100 individuals took place outside Hamilton city hall on Saturday to protest against a nationalist group’s plan to hold a conference aiming to deport millions of people from Canada. The Hope Not Hate rally aimed to oppose racism and bigotry in response to the Dominion Society’s scheduled event in the city. However, the anti-immigration group relocated its conference to Burlington, Ontario, after initial plans to host it in Hamilton.
During the event at The Atrium Banquet and Conference Centre in Burlington, several Dominion Society members were spotted in the parking lot, along with masked protesters and members of the Halton Regional Police Service. Protesters outside the center expressed their opposition to what they described as “fascist and racist” beliefs held by the group.
The venue management stated they were unaware of the group’s background when they accepted the reservation, emphasizing their respect for the rights of all citizens, including the right to protest. Efforts made by various groups in Hamilton, such as the Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre (HARRC), successfully led to the cancellation of bookings in the city and the relocation of the conference to Burlington.
The Dominion Society, which did not confirm the location directly to CBC, mentioned that their event was not canceled despite opposition efforts. The group’s plans to host the conference with international speakers, including far-right Austrian figure Martin Sellner, faced challenges, with Sellner claiming visa issues preventing his attendance in Canada.
Local authorities and community groups, including the Hamilton police and the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, had urged venues to reconsider hosting the event due to its divisive nature. The Dominion Society’s promotion of nationalist and anti-immigration ideologies, including advocating for mass deportations and endorsing conspiracy theories, sparked widespread condemnation and calls for inclusivity and unity within the community.
Various leaders and organizations in Hamilton and neighboring regions denounced the group’s ideologies and emphasized the importance of standing against hate and division. The coordinated efforts to prevent the Dominion Society’s conference from taking place in Hamilton highlighted the community’s commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment devoid of discriminatory beliefs.