A white nationalist rally by about 50 members of the extremist group Second Sons at Brock’s Monument in Queenston Heights Park over the Labour Day weekend has drawn strong condemnation from Niagara-on-the-Lake officials and experts.

The group gathered at the historic site on Aug. 31, posting photos and videos of masked members carrying flags and wearing shirts reading “All Thy Sons.” A video shared Sept. 6 shows members standing at the base of the monument, which is operated by Niagara Parks.

Second Sons, founded in 2024 by Jeremy MacKenzie — the creator of Diagolon, which the RCMP has described as a “militia-like extremist organization” — describes itself online as a “Canadian men’s nationalist club.”

Its website says, “Our birthright has been stolen from us as we are being pushed out of society, academics and the workforce and replaced by foreigners without any connection or roots to the Canadian people.”

Mayor Zalepa condemns rally

Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa addressed the incident at Tuesday’s committee of the whole meeting, calling the rally unacceptable.

“On behalf of myself, my fellow council members and the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, I want to make it clear that this group’s message is not supported or condoned, and this type of hate has no place in our town,” Zalepa said. “The town does not tolerate any form of racism, hate, or discrimination.”

Zalepa said neither Niagara Parks nor the Niagara Parks Police were notified about the gathering and no complaints were received at the time. Niagara Parks Police were informed afterward and followed up.

“I have full confidence in our local police and public safety authorities,” he said. “To our residents, especially those who may feel targeted or hurt by this demonstration, know that you are respected and fundamental to the fabric of our community. This recent rally does not reflect our ethics or the inclusive, welcoming environment we are committed to fostering.”

Experts warn of growing far-right activity

Saleh Waziruddin, executive director of the Niagara Region Anti-Racism Association, called the rally a serious escalation in extremist activity locally.

“This is a new level of activity that we’ve seen from the white supremacists in Niagara,” he said.

Pascal Lupien, a political science professor at Brock University who studies far-right movements, said Second Sons is part of a broader trend of groups known as “active clubs.”

“I’m certainly aware that this is part of a trend of what are sometimes called ‘active clubs,’” Lupien said. “The march in Niagara-on-the-Lake is not an isolated incident, it’s part of a trend.”

Lupien said such groups often target economically insecure young men, engaging them in fitness and social activities while promoting far-right ideology.

“Many of these groups certainly have a goal that goes beyond athletics,” he said. “Some of them are fairly blunt in terms of their message. They see something like a race war coming and they are basically recruiting and training young white men to be prepared for this race war that they imagine is coming.”

He added that fighting these movements is challenging because of Charter protections around free speech.

“Trying to go at them too hard can sometimes have the opposite effect,” Lupien said. “The best approach … is education. … Generally, these groups get the strongest support from people who haven’t had the chance to educate themselves.”

Waziruddin said he hopes police enforce existing hate crime laws and called for stronger measures to hold extremist groups accountable.

“We need to use the hate crimes laws we have and also expand them,” he said. “So that people who are spreading hate and intimidation can be held accountable.”

A growing local concern

The rally came just weeks after local resident Matthew French discovered fliers near the Niagara-on-the-Lake post office from another far-right organization, the Dominion Society.

“These groups have become more sophisticated in their marketing and camouflage,” French said. “The casual observer would likely think this is a poster for a local historical society.”

Zalepa said council and staff remain committed to “safety, fairness and respect for all residents,” adding that the town is focused on ensuring Niagara-on-the-Lake continues to reflect “a resilient, vibrant and welcoming community that residents expect and deserve.”

daniel@niagaranow.com