Source: Telegram
July 28, 2022
James –
Thank you for your email.
We do not knowingly publish factual errors. When we do make the rare error, we correct it. If you have specific complaints about our coverage, please direct us to what you believe are factual errors.
We sent an email to [email protected] with the subject “media inquiry” on June 23rd to give you the opportunity to comment before reporting on your words and activities. We never received a reply.
I don’t know who is telling you that we’re publishing falsehoods about you, but you should review the materials yourself. We have referred to you as “an uncontroversial figure” with the exception of your associations. We’ve made note that a lot of people can relate with the “low grade despair and depression” that you say you’ve experienced. For heaven’s sake we’ve even called you a “source of inspiration for those reticent about the government’s public health policies.” (We can disagree on whether that's a good thing or not, but you got to agree it’s a pretty charitable characterization).
James – just read what we’ve written about you. I don’t think you’ll find factual errors or that it’s in bad faith or mean-spirited.
https://twitter.com/search?q=from%3A%40antihateca%20%22topp%22&src=typed_query
https://www.antihate.ca/ottawa_facing_far_right_protests_all_summer_long
https://www.antihate.ca/ottawa_summer_far_right_protests_2022
Now, you’re also alleging that we’re trying to cancel your events. I don’t know who is telling you this but it’s 100 per cent false. We haven’t called or emailed a single venue, business, city, town, etc. We haven’t asked anybody else to do that either. We have a very small staff and a volunteer board. We don’t have ‘members’, ‘chapters’, or anything else of the sort. We knew that this was a lie, but we didn’t call you out as a liar because I’m presuming you’re getting bad information whispered into your ear and I don’t think it’s in your character to intentionally lie. If you wanted to be civil and match our ethical standards, you could apologize for making that claim without evidence.
However, we’re not going to condemn community members or municipalities that don’t want you there. They have the free expression right to raise a fuss and, yes, to ask venues not to host you, and we understand why they might want to do that.
Several journalists have asked me about you, James, and every time I’ve given them a little speech before I’d answer their questions. I’ve told them that I don’t think you’re a racist, or a fascist, or a bad person. I’ve told them that we empathize with your situation. I’ve told them that a lot of people got taken in by COVID conspiracy theories and have lost friendships, contact with family, or their jobs because of it – and that we should have empathy for that. I’ve told them that I understand why you’d be released from the forces for publicly disobeying an order, but that I don’t necessarily feel that they should throw the book at you.
If you were only doing a protest march to raise the plight of public workers who have lost their jobs because of health mandates, you wouldn’t be the focus of any of our reporting. We’re only reporting on you because of the people and groups with which you’re making common cause.
I presume you’re not going to take my word for it if I say Diagolon is antisemitic and dangerous. So here’s what I will say: I know you’re a very busy guy. I don’t know where you’re getting your information or who’s in your ear and filtering it for you, but you should do your own research. Look at what they’ve said, in their own words.
Go ahead and fact check, for yourself, what’s in these articles. Click the links in them. Search their telegram and chats. Watch some live streams where you’re not a guest:
https://www.antihate.ca/diagolon_movement_militant_accelerationism
https://www.antihate.ca/far_right_attacking_anti_racists_downtown_toronto
https://www.antihate.ca/jeremy_raging_dissident_mackenzie_arrested_waving_handgun_local_business
Ask yourself: what does it look like if a movement with Jeremy MacKenzie or Pat King near its leadership took power? If a large number of its most fervent supporters, and some of its spokespeople and leaders want to see politicians and health officers put on trial, like Tom Marazzo? Jeremy screams “Gun or rope!?” on his stream. Do you really think he’s just joking about that?
I'm not very interested in having something as formal as a conference, but I'm happy to keep talking with you, James.
Best,
Evan Balgord
Executive Director
Canadian Anti-Hate Network
