The Soldiers of Odin, a European organization that has been dubbed "an extreme anti-refugee group" by the Anti-Defamation League, has begun setting up shop in Canada — but local leaders say they're not affiliated with white power.

After sparking controversy in Hamilton, Ont., earlier this summer, the group has formed a chapter in Edmonton.

About 10 men, all are wearing matching insignia on their backs, a Norse horned helmet with a Canadian flag for a beard, have been seen patrolling the city's streets at least twice, on July 23 and Aug. 28.

While some see them as protectors, others consider them glaring examples of the worst in society.

- Read More | Controversial Soldiers of Odin group organizing in Hamilton

As a response to the influx of refugees, the group was founded in late 2015 in Finland by Mika Ranta, a self-proclaimed white supremacist. Since that time it has become international, with local chapters forming in cities and provinces across Canada this year.

According to social media posts by the group, marches have also taken place in B.C. and Ontario.

'Nothing illegal'

The group's bylaws state their goal is to take back the streets, and patrols are their way of doing that.

Insp. Dan Jones said the Edmonton Police Service is aware of the Soldiers of Odin, but hasn't received any complaints.

"At this stage, we have a group of people that have associated [themselves] with a group that are internationally extremely negative," Jones said. "In the city of Edmonton context that we have right now, we have seen no violence, no complaints, no threats, nothing criminal."

Jones said police have spoken to the group.

"They are reporting they are not the same type of group, that they are not anti-immigration or radical right."

Jones said the group described itself as a guardian angel-type group focused on volunteerism.

"If they are the Soldiers of Odin like they are in Europe, we are going to be very concerned," Jones said. "But at this stage, we don't have any reason to believe they have engaged in criminal activity."

According to their bylaws, members see themselves as a "non-racist conservative organization that seeks to keep Canadians safe in their daily activities."

Those same bylaws, however, lament a federal government that accepts "refugees from countries that hate us" and lets "illegal aliens" into the country, giving them "the ability to vote and drive."

"People think we're some sort of white power group," Joel Agnott, the SOO national president, told CBC News in early August. "We're not affiliated with any of that. We have had a few of those members, and we've kicked them out."

The bylaws state the group believes "in protecting the streets with observe-and-report-style patrols, and if necessary to come to the defence of anyone who may need us. We are the eyes and ears of the police in places that the police cannot always be."

The group has said it wants to co-operate with local law enforcement.

Angott said the group supports "sustainable immigration" and calls on the government to thoroughly screen new immigrants, and ensure newcomers "want to come in and follow Canadian law."

"We don't want people coming in and pushing any kind of agenda on Canada," he said.

In an emailed statement sent to CBC on Saturday, Angott said the marches are "a neighbourhood watch-based activity, with a focus on the safety of women, children and the elderly."

He added that the majority of the members spend their time checking for "hazards and unsafe conditions" in parks and playgrounds, and also identifying obstacles for "people with mobility issues."

Angott said the group is "here for all Canadian citizens" and recognizes Canada as a multicultural mosaic.

An early version of the original Soldiers of Odin's now-defunct website reads: "Islamist intruders cause insecurity and increase crimes," Reuters reports. Members in Finland have carried placards that read "Migrants not welcome."

The Finnish Soldiers of Odin have nearly identical bylaws as the Canadian chapters.

Social media diatribe

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