Diagolon labelled “militia-like” by RCMP; organizers say event was a comedy show
JARVIS—On July 31, 2024, the Jarvis Lions Club unknowingly rented the Jarvis Community Centre to Diagolon, a right-wing group previously described by the RCMP as “militia-like” and by the House of Commons as a violent extremist organization.
Community Centre board member Ian Cooper took to Facebook on August 1 following the meeting, saying: “No one knew it was by Diagolon…. We were (misled) as to the purpose and nature of the event that was planned, by the person who booked the hall and signed the contract.”
The Jarvis Lions reported that the space was booked for a family and friends gathering, but several residents raised concerns on social media after seeing shirts and signage for Diagolon outside the hall.
Diagolon has been touring across the country this summer; this has been referred to as the ‘Rage Tour 2024’ by its organizers. A tour date was listed for Hamilton on July 31, but various Hamilton organizations called on the City to stop the meeting. Ultimately, event organizers ended up renting the Jarvis hall instead.
The Press reached out to Diagolon through their website, requesting more information on the group’s goals and the contents of the Jarvis event. They responded, “500 people showed up for a comedy show, laughed and went home. Get a real job.”
On August 1, Haldimand County issued a press release, calling the tour stop an unsanctioned event organized by a “suspected alt-right extremist group.”
“The hall was booked through an application process and made under a personal name, misrepresenting the event nature and intended facility use,” read the release. “The County and the Jarvis Lions Community Centre regret this occurred and would not have permitted the rental if the group affiliation or intentions had been disclosed.”
Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley stated that Haldimand “does not condone hate or racism…. We want to reassure our community that these types of events are not in keeping with our values of inclusion, equity, and diversity. Our priority is to ensure that everyone feels safe in Haldimand County. Groups such as Diagolon who allegedly promote violence and racism are not welcome in the Haldimand community.”
CAO Cathy Case added, “While the County has policies and procedures in place for the rental of its facilities, it is difficult to ensure people are using the facilities in an appropriate manner when they are providing false information on a rental application.”
The Press was approached by a local resident who witnessed the meeting when heading for a round of disc golf in the Jarvis Lions Park. They requested anonymity, citing a fear for their safety.
“The realization that such a group was allowed to gather in our community is both shocking and unacceptable,” said the resident. “Their presence here poses a threat to the safety and wellbeing of all residents and is in direct opposition to the values of inclusivity and respect that we uphold.”
The resident recalled a parking lot full of vehicles adorned in “convoy signifiers and PPC bumper stickers. While a few of these are typical in the country, this was far beyond usual.”
He said on approaching the hall, he witnessed attendees wearing “brand new Diagolon shirts with the name and logo printed in full size on the front. I also noticed a few others with the logo as a patch on their clothing.”
According to the resident, the situation became heated after he told those outside they were not welcome, and three event-associated security guards escorted the resident away from the event.
“To be clear, they never touched me, but did approach me in a way clearly intended to intimidate me. We argued, and I left on my own accord, realizing things would likely only escalate if I stayed,” said the resident.
Countering the organizers’ claim that 500 people were in attendance, the resident estimates it was closer to 30 to 40 people, noting the hall has a maximum capacity of 405 people.
As news broke of the event on Facebook and several residents raised concerns that such a group could find a footing in Haldimand, some online posters came to Diagolon’s defense, rejecting the RCMP classification and describing the meeting as a peaceful gathering, with many reiterating that it was a comedy show.
In a comment on a post shared by Facebook page Dan Wiest Around the Community last week, commenter Jason Craddock defended Diagolon founder and Afghanistan veteran Jeremy MacKenzie: “From someone who saw his original beginning content, he is a patriotic Canadian former military who is watching a communist dictator ‘Justin Trudeau’ destroy our country and strongly voiced his opinion on his distrain (sic) for Trudeau and his liberal government.”
Responding to a post The Press placed on a Jarvis Facebook group looking for attendees to share their thoughts on the event, user Larry Sweezey replied, “Nobody will talk to you…have you not seen what the Canadian government funded media has said about them? Armed and dangerous…violent neo nazis….they’re average hard working Canadians who are sick and tired of the state of this country. Grandmothers, moms and dads, young people who can’t find work…people tired of being taxed into poverty…. I’m not sure what’s so bad about voicing their concerns. It’s all so ridiculous.”
User Shannon Veurink sent The Press a link to online articles rebuking the idea that Diagolon is a far-right extremist group. One November 2022 article, credited to The Western Standard, classifies the group as a joke and a game that started online, with the name Diagolon referring to a game played by group members revolving around a “fictional breakaway state stretching from Alaska to Florida.”
With Diagolon organizers refusing to comment further, The Press signed up for MacKenzie’s blog for a sampling of the group’s ideals.
The most recent post on July 29, titled ‘Final Countdown – Bring Helmets’, reads, “The road tour is in its final stretch having endured zero problems or interference from trantifa or any of our domestic enemies whom have proven to be completely impotent beyond internet outrage posting…. It has been a great success.”
The blog speaks of a “tremendous disaster” looming, adding, “The demographic replacement happening here is at a pace that could only be exceeded if we were conquered by Ghenghis Khan.”
The post stated that the Canadian government has “abandoned pandering to Canadians in favor of winning support from foreigners who will be the future power blocks of the land.”
The blog criticizes Indian Conservative MPs for speaking their native language in the House of Commons and posits that “preferential hiring is being given to migrants in virtually every employment sector, including police and military.”
It urges followers to “swiftly act in organizing ourselves with this long-term survival strategy in mind. We must choose our own side and act collectively to protect ourselves as a people…. Build businesses with your own people. Hire your own people. Keep resources, money, time, and energy expenses inside the circles of your own people while consciously withdrawing support from anyone that is not.”
As the discourse remains divided about what Diagolon stands for on Haldimand-related socia media pages, Case concluded in the County press release, “County staff and volunteers will continue to work together to try to prevent this from occurring in Haldimand and will involve law enforcement as necessary.”
