Protesters March in Rosemont to Denounce Neo-Nazi Neighbours
Protesters Target Gabriel Sohier-Chaput and Philippe Gendron, Calling them Fascists
After the The Gazette broke a story exposing Gabriel Sohier-Chaput as an allegedly influential neo-nazi, about 100 protesters marched this Saturday in Chaput’s borough, Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie
Protesters gathered at Beaubien metro station and chanted “No fascists in our neighborhoods, no neighborhoods for fascists!” After they marched down Beaubien St., where Chaput allegedly lives.
A resident who preffered to stay anonymous said he was shocked when he recognized Chaput’s face on the posters as someone who used to serve him at a print shop near-by.
“You realize that it’s in your community and that he’s not just some young guy in a fascist group, he’s an organizer and he’s a recruiter,” he said. “It’s unacceptable to have that kind of person in our community without denouncing them, without outing them.”
Protesters begin marching down Beaubien in Rosemont to denounce new-nazi Gabriel Sohier-Chaput’s presence in the neighbourhood
Linknewspaper</a> <a href="https://t.co/1f6f5MDaMv">pic.twitter.com/1f6f5MDaMv</a></p>— Erika Morris (thingjpg) May 12, 2018
Once in front of Chaput’s house, activist Jaggi Singh played Propagandhi’s “The Only Good Fascist is a Very Dead Fascist.” Protesters continued to chant, “The police serves the rich and fascists,” while police guarded the house.
“There are two neo-nazis living on this street, these people promote rape and genocide and other horrible things; we’re here to denounce them,” Singh told onlookers through his megaphone.
The protesters continued to march down Fabre St. towards Saint-Zotique St. E. to protest in front of Philippe Gendron’s home.
Gendron is a member of the anti-immigrant far-right group Soldiers of Odin, and members of the group stood outside of the house wearing their hoodies and a specific skull mask associated with neo-nazis.
Police blocked the intersection to prevent protesters from confronting them.
The protest was a grassroots effort between residents of the neighbourhood and local anti-fascist activists.
“I think it’s important to send a strong message that this is a community that doesn’t tolerate [neo-nazis,]” said Penny Pattison, who has lived in the neighborhood for five years.
“I think it’s deplorable that he’s trying to recruit young people to join a campaign of hatred against immigrants and new arrivals and that’s not acceptable.”
