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“My gut reaction when I saw the sign was ‘Oh no, they’re doing an alt-right comedy night’ … the language of free expression has become a shield for a reprehensible opinion,” he said. “I don’t oppose free speech, you do have the right to say what you want to say … I also support the community’s right to protest.”

“The shutdown itself was the venue’s decision and, from what I understand and from what the owner told me, happened before the locks were vandalized,” said Metcalf, an activist who researchers the far-right online.

He added that he believed the organizer clearly sympathized with the speakers slated to appear at the cancelled Ryerson event, many of whom express views that are offensive to the trans community. He said some comedians have reached out to say they didn’t support the event either.

“The culture war has definitely hit Toronto comedy,” he said.

To call a comedy show a free speech comedy show is redundant; they all are

Polishchuk said he thought it would be “funny” to play off the competing events and use the anti-fascist signage to promote a free speech show.

“I wish I could say I’m totally shocked but I’m surprised that actually (things) went to that point. The thing is, this was just a regular comedy show,” he said. “To call a comedy show a free speech comedy show is redundant; they all are.”

The comedian has rescheduled the event for Nov. 11, the same day the cancelled free speech talk has been moved to. He says he has no hard feelings toward Comedy Bar and respects the decision to protect the staff’s safety. And yet, as a comedian, he worries about the doublethink of opposing free speech under the guise of combatting fascism — especially since he personally has since been targeted and called a neo-Nazi —an assertion he finds especially odious since he’s in fact Jewish — or worse.

“Free speech, as a comedian that’s all you have really,” Polishchuk said. “The moment free speech is removed from comedy … that’s literally what happens first … in fascist countries.”

Metcalf and the Canadian Journalists for Free Expression have set up a GoFundMe to help Comedy Bar cover the costs of the vandalism and any additional proceeds will go to the CCLA.

Polishchuk’s Facebook page will have further information about the Nov. 11 event once he has a venue confirmed.