Canadian capitalism is currently amidst its most recent crisis. Stemming from Donald Trump’s threats of annexation and subsequent tariffs, Canadians are reacting in a myriad of ways. Unfortunately, one upcoming response is the “Canada First” rally, organised by Joe Anidjar, being held on September 13 at Christie Pits in Toronto at 1:00 pm. These so-called “patriots” are toeing the same alt-right anti-immigrant line as the MAGA contingent to the south.
Fortunately, many Canadians recognise the importance and value of immigrants and have shown a willingness to step up and rebuke this sentiment, going so far as to host a counter rally on the same day and location, starting at 12:00 pm. This is the type of action that is required to address these hateful narratives and resolve the crisis of capitalism.
White Nationalism in Toronto
This is not the first time in Ontario’s history that white nationalists have aimed to use Christie Pits as a vestibule for hate, with the Christie Pits Riots taking place on August 16, 1933. In the early years of the Great Depression, antisemitic tropes were often used as a means of explaining the economic collapse in 1929. Although Nazism would form in Germany, with Hitler emerging as Chancellor in January 1933, this sentiment was not isolated to the Rhine—the Dreyfus Affair at the turn of the century being one of the most notable specific instances of antisemitism in Europe. Canada was not exempt from this hate.
During the height of the Great Depression, many people were searching for answers as to how the luxury of the roaring 20s could turn into a global crisis by 1929. Prior to the crash, blame for economic woes was foisted onto immigrants. Canada’s treatment of its Asian communities, specifically the Chinese community, was a clear example of this—the Opium Act and Chinese Immigration Act are two examples of the Canadian government’s willingness to blame immigrants for all issues, economic and social. But the Great Depression was different. The nexus between the Depression and the 1929 stock market crash created room for greater proliferation of antisemitism.
Christie Pits Riot
This was the environment in August 1933. Comprised of Protestant Canadians, mainly British in origin, Swastika clubs began to sprout up, looking to strike fear in the hearts of Toronto’s Jewish population. Like the sun’s arc, these groups created tension starting in the east and then moved westward, spreading their purported goal to “clean up the city”. With public demonstrations like an infamous one on August 7, 1933 at Kew Gardens, these clubs were doing what they could to incite violence. They would get their wish a bit more than a week later.
Tensions fomented with a baseball game on August 16, 1933 at Christie Pits. The second game in the series between the Harbord Playground team, which consisted mostly of Jewish players, and the St. Peter’s team was attended by members of the local Swastika club. Unfortunately, the white nationalists brought their own gear, with one member raising a flag bearing a swastika as “Heil Hitler” chants echoed through the crowd. Violence ensued, with brawlers dividing into teams: one side consisted of the white nationalists, and the other side consisted primarily of Jewish and Italian community members, as well as other citizens who were mistreated by the English majority in Toronto.
Sports can engender community, but on this day, it transcended this by creating a mass force against hate. Fortunately, no one was killed, but thousands were injured. Among the fracas, the Jewish and Italian citizens victoriously captured the flag and shredded it to bits.
Jewish citizens would continue to encounter several hardships, including the indignity of a government that saw none as too many in relation to Jewish refugee policy until the end of the war, for years to come, but the Christie Pits Riot was a demonstration of a prevailing tendency: workers can put superficial differences aside when uniting against fascism.
Say no to hate
Whether it be a historic irony or a lack of understanding of history, the September 13 “Canada First” rally will be held in Christie Pits, 92 years after the riots. Although the target of this rally is not the Jewish community, the historic tragedy of this moment can be witnessed in the fact that Anidjar has gone so far as to call those participating, or supporting, the counter rally antisemitic. This shouldn’t surprise anyone, as these types of movements tend to be, at best, ahistorical.
City Councillor for University-Rosedale, Dianne Saxe, has sent out a public statement warning against the “Canada First” rally, attempting to assure people that police have been alerted. This statement rings hollow for multiple reasons.
First, the police were there on August 16, 1933, for all the good that did. If there is anything to be learned from the Christie Pits Riot, it is that protection from hate will not come from on high, but from those on the ground with you.
Second, as socialists, we should refrain from relying on politicians to cancel or ban such events. I would go so far as to say that we should overtly oppose that. Any right-wing cause is going to receive more support from the State than left-wing causes. The Councillor’s actions are a clear example of this. In this instance, the Councillor has noted that the rally will be allowed to continue because no permit is required. This is fine. However, it should be noted that Dianne Saxe was one of the most vehement supporters of the “bubble by-law” meant to limit “gatherings” in response to pro-Palestinian protests. On this issue, she has shown her willingness to side with such jingoists as Brad Bradford, whose own right-wing politics are cause for concern.
Finally, in our atomized society, we must seek collective community action to address these issues, rather than wait for a decree from on high to save us from seeing or hearing deplorable things. Yes, it can be frightening, especially if you’re one of the people being targeted, but there is strength in a community. In this regard, Canadians would be wise to take a cue from the example of the number of Americans who are standing up against the tyranny of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This is not to equate a “Canada First” rally with fascist action to the south, but it is to show that it is never too early to get organized.
We must not disregard Anidjar and his cohort. There is no doubt that what they spew is disgusting, but there might be some common ground. Their jingoistic rage is misguided, but their anger is justified; however, for a contingent that is known for having a deep attachment to their guns, their aim is way off. They blame immigrants for many things, including a disregard for culture and identity, yet their gripes have no material basis. Universal healthcare is one of the totems of Canadian identity. However, they fail to realise that the Atlas-like task of upholding this system is on the shoulders of a workforce where 25 per cent are immigrants. Moreover, their worldview won’t allow them to acknowledge that without immigration, our economy would be in shambles. Look no further than the impact of Donald Trump’s immigration policies and how it has negatively affected their economy.
The Canada that they hope to return to never existed. Their philosophy is inimical to Canadian values. The counter rally is a truer representation of the values that the majority wishes to preserve. We understand that focusing on the superficial differences leads only to shallow thinking and that it is only a tool of division. I hope to see everyone at Christie Pits on September 13 at noon for a wonderful family-friendly day of peace and community. I do not doubt that our positivity will drown out the hate.
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