An incident involving a white nationalist demonstration on a busy overpass near London, Ontario’s downtown on Sunday has raised concerns among witnesses and experts monitoring extremist activities. The sight of approximately 30 masked men in black, waving flags on the Wortley Road overpass, has left an enduring impression on London resident Dave Vermue, who compared them to Nazi stormtroopers. The group, identified as the Second Sons Canada, displayed a banner with the message “remigration now” alongside flags like the Canadian Red Ensign and those of Ontario.
Vermue, who captured the demonstration on his dash camera, expressed discomfort with the display, emphasizing the group’s right to express their views but criticizing their military-style presentation. The Second Sons, led by Jeremy MacKenzie, who also founded the extremist group Diagolon, have been associated with organizing combat training for what experts believe is preparation for a perceived race war.
Groups like Second Sons often conceal their identities, using tactics like obscuring faces and tattoos, and sometimes incorporating Nazi symbols. The seemingly innocuous message of “remigration now” is perceived by experts like Hazel Woodrow of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network as a veiled call for ethnic cleansing, targeting non-white populations.
The London Police Service acknowledged the protest and reported that the group dispersed without incident after about 30 minutes. Second Sons had conducted combat training prior to the protest, with the location identified as Westminster Ponds. The Dominion Society, believed to be linked to Second Sons, advocates for remigration and anti-immigration policies, promoting the idea of preserving Canada’s demographic makeup.
Woodrow highlighted the growing influence of white nationalist ideologies in southern Ontario and beyond, emphasizing the increasing size and impact of organized movements like Second Sons and the Dominion Society. Social media has played a significant role in facilitating the growth of these groups by connecting individuals with similar beliefs.
Vermue, reflecting on his personal history and the sacrifices made by his family during wartime, expressed a strong aversion to the presence of such groups in his community, hoping to never witness a similar demonstration again.