Protesters clashed outside of a controversial Peoples' Party of Canada fundraiser at Mohawk College, leading to four arrests.

Roughly 100 protesters descended on the west Mountain campus of the college Sunday more than one hour before the start of the event at 7 p.m. featuring People's Party of Canada Leader Maxime Bernier and YouTube personality and political commentator Dave Rubin.

A fight between protesters and counter protesters resulted in the first two arrests around 6:30 p.m. outside of the entrance to the McIntyre Performing Arts Centre near West 5th Street. Two more people were taken into police custody in the next half-hour.

All were arrested for breach of the peace and removed from the college campus at 135 Fennell Ave. W.

But before the event ended around 8:45 p.m., they were all released unconditionally. There were no injuries reported.

WARNING: This video contains graphic language

Protesters blocked a bus full of attendees, who paid for tickets to the fundraiser, for about 15 minutes at the entranceway to the theatre before police intervened. Activists - some with their faces covered - also formed lines in attempts to block individuals from entering the theatre while aggressively chanting, "Off our streets, Nazi scum."

Mohawk College had 15 Paragon Security personnel for the event as well as eight 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 party supporters 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 a small group 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 cheering supporters in what appeared to be a full theatre.

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 tweeted just after 4:30 p.m. Sunday, "I've arrived in Canada. So far everyone is very nice!" But during his speech Rubin told attendees that on the way into the event "I got called a Nazi."

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jfrketich@thespec.com

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