Thread by @JaneQCitizen

🧵 I’ve received some reportbacks & photos of protestors at the all ages drag brunch in #yyc on Sunday

Folks who’ve followed me for awhile won’t be at all surprised

But first a message with thanks to the protectors from the venues #lovewins
🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈
1/

2/ The protectors outnumbered the protestors by about 60-12. All performers & patrons were kept safe although I really hate that the young performers had to leave out the back door for their own safety.

Let’s take a look at the protestors

3/ If you spotted the Canadian Crusaders patch, you’re seeing CanCru’s Kyle B Silzer who’s been beating the drum of far right extremist groups (4 so far) for a few years.
Not sure why he’s trying to resurrect cancru but he’s never been that bright.

4/ For more on Kyle Silzer, see this thread for example.

5/ Never far from Silzer is James Lyons, another far right cling-on w/memberships in several extremist groups over the years

James likes skulking around at Street Church & anti-democracy events. We’ve noticed how he’s aged over the years. Hate makes you ugly

6/ @EdmontonAgainst put together this fantastic resource on Alberta fascists for @ARCCollective ‘s blog almost 3 years ago. You should read it; it’s still very relevant to the current scene anti-racistcanada.blogspot.com/2020/01/win-na…

7/ Next up is Wendy Lawson, partner to James Lyons & organizer of one of the fascist stickering groups White Rose Alberta

Wendy was described by one of the protectors as “she's very aggressive and swaggers around as if she's gonne beat everyone up”

8/ Some readers may remember this exposé:

9/ Angelica Toy/Vinokurova was there, reporting from her new assignment with Rebel News. A university student, organizer with Walk for Freedom, budding christofascist queerphobe+TERF, I expect to be reporting on her more in future

10a/ Perennial gadfly Chris Harrod was there of course. As a Yellow Vester & organizer with Unify the People, sovcit Chris & his temper tantrums continue to leave an unfavorable impression with everyone he tries to be around.

10b/ Video clip of Chris Harrod being unwelcomed, because of course he’s not welcome, courtesy @Tommy_Slick

11/ More on Chris Harrod

12/ Of course wherever Chris
Harrod is, Nick Smart will be there to add to the smarm factor. You can spot Yellow Vester Nick at most of the street protests in Inglewood, Kensington and Mission. He'll be the guy on the bullhorn with the British accent.

13/ Many will remember Nick as one of the louder disrupters at Pat
King's protest of the antiracism gathering in Red Deer in 2020.
He's just an angry little man despite the fake smile, especially when his actions have consequences

14/ "Dr" Joanny Liu was there with her fake live-laugh-love platitudes.
Joanny enjoys positioning herself as the expert of all things, often accusing her fellow conspiracists of bringing evil to themselves by not thinking positively. Aww poor ripped sign

15/ Some Calgarians will remember
Joanny from her protests at #TestTracelsolate rallies during
Summer 2021 when she was arrested.
More here:

16/ Former Misty Wind bff Jordan
Fritz was there. He moved to BC awhile ago for work. I'm unsure if he's moved back here or is just creating havoc while visiting during the festive season

17/ Also I'd forgotten about this but the memory made me smile 😊

18/ Street preacher Derek Reimer was there. There's never an opportunity for homophobia that he'll miss after all. He does “outreach" on Stephen Ave as penance for his prison time for double aggravated assault, drug dealing, DV assault & assault on a dog.

19/ Derek failed to get 5% of the vote in his run for Ward 9 councillor, thank-you jeebuz. He's facing a 10k fine for continuing to violate city bylaws. His biggest issue imo is his hubris, refusing to learn from his poor choices.

20/ Current organizer for ongoing
"freedom" protests Anna-Josephine Madelaine Picken was there. Never one to miss a rally as she's unemployed (unemployable?)
I found this interview so cringe as to be somewhat entertaining.
Teens s/b having tea parties y'all

21/ And just because she's so easy to drag, here's Anna trying to school @genesimmons as he launched a new product at @MinhasMicrobrew earlier this month. Anna thought Gene was being "human-trafficked" 😂

21b/ Oh Anna that was so not a thing to brag about 🤦🏻‍♀️

22/ Last and arguably least, 2 online "freedom" podcasters turned up--Cody Kuntz & Benita Pedersen. Always cringe, always clout-chasing, that's all I'll say about them. They came down for Pawlowski & L2T2's church thing.

23/ Wrapping up:
The pattern is clear. It was never about mandates, freedom or community. It's always been about division, hate, othering. Not about love or compassion but pushing a (christo) fascist agenda on a freezing cold day

The protectors know #lovewon

24/ Thanks again to everyone who came out to stand against fascism & haters who'd shove us back into closets if they could

We aren't going anywhere. Antifascism is strong in #yyc and Angelica is pointing her finger in wrong direction🖕😇🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈

25/ One last look at the fabulous work of community defenders ❤️
They occupied the space in front of the venue solidly, made lots of noise to drown out & frustrate the protestors, never giving an inch. Safety 1st!

Notice the “peaceful protestor"
elbowing 🌈☂️ man in the back🤨

Addendum: I missed this screengrab of the church thing Pawlowski organized. His “church” is looking more and political campaign office. Imagine that