Damage inflicted by masked vandals three weeks ago on Locke Street led to a wave of support from residents, but the latest show of sympathy has sparked a backlash from a group called Hamilton Against Fascism.

The group announced on its Facebook page that it will oppose a "Patriot Walk on Locke" planned for Sunday from 12-2 p.m., accusing participants of being affiliated with "anti-immigrant and alt-right hate groups" who are trying to "cast themselves as more than the racist, xenophobic goons they are ... We won't let them!"

In response the group has planned a "Locke Street Anti-Fascist Counter-Rally" scheduled to start at 11 a.m. in Victoria Park, 451 King St. W. — the same place where the Patriot Walk is supposed to begin — before progressing to Locke.

Hamilton Against Fascism noted that many of their own members will wear masks because they fear the opposition will take their pictures and publish them to "encourage harassment and intimidation."

A spokesperson with Hamilton police said they are aware of the planned demonstrations and will monitor the situation, but would not comment on actions that will be taken.

Members of these groups, who occupy passionate and perhaps extreme ends of the political spectrum, have clashed before.

Last summer Hamilton Against Fascism faced off against a group it dubbed anti-immigrant that gathered downtown, and last March against a group protesting proposed legislation in Parliament that targeted Islamophobia.

In that March confrontation, The Spectator reported insults were hurled and signs grabbed. It did not turn physically violent, but demonstrators from Hamilton Against Fascism tried to stop a Spectator photographer from taking pictures.

Figuring out who is on what side, and why, is complicated, in part because of the politically-charged language employed, and that members of these groups do not tend to speak publicly.

Like the "patriots" on the right, members of Hamilton Against Fascism on the left would no doubt also be opposed to the vandalism March 3 on Locke Street; on the other hand they would tend ideologically to find sympathy with the cause some believe was the reason for the attack: anti-gentrification.

Those taking part in the Patriot Walk would not consider themselves fascists — a derogatory term associated with infamous Italian dictator Benito Mussolini and authoritarian government control and hypernationalism.

The Hamilton Against Fascism post includes a link to a blog with screenshots from what it says was a "private group chat" on a Facebook page titled Patriot Walk on Locke.

The screenshots include online exchanges between apparent participants in the walk: "We will defend ourselves and other patriots and we will not instigate"; "I'm wearing my bp vest" and "I'm looking forward to meeting all of you and standing by your side. Toe to toe shoulder to shoulder. Victory or Valhalla." (Valhalla is a reference in mythology to fighting to the death for an ideal.)

No group claimed responsibility for the vandalism on Locke Street, although anarchists posted anonymous messages online applauding the tactics. Police have made no arrests from the incident.

jwells@thespec.com

905-526-3515 | @jonjwells

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