Thread by @ExecCanuck

If you followed #FreedomConvoy, even supported it, did you really understand danger it poses to Canada? Maybe you waved away extremist elements, saying just a few "bad apples". You'd be deluding yourself. It's time to scratch below the surface, start here:
thewalrus.ca/ottawa-convoy/

Those various flags seen throughout the protest. They weren't one-offs or bad apples, they were embedded in the protest from the start. You saw them:
#Trump flags, Confederate flags, 3% flags, &, yes, Swastika flags (if you have one Nazi in a crowd, you've got a crowd of Nazis).

Think this is an exaggeration? Maybe start to examine what's actually driving these groups. Organizers of #TruckConvoy have a history of extremist views, from #Wexit to disgusting racist bigotry and hatred. It wasn't hidden, you just ignored it.
Start with #CanadaUnity

#CanadaUnity are authors of the ridiculous MOU, that was eventually retracted because of the attention it drew to their goal of overthrowing duly & legally elected government of Canada. In its place THEY wanted to govern Canada. Seriously, read the MOU👇

https://twitter.com/ExecCanuck/status/1493334802363211786?s=20&t=_D_lMoer5kH5XkSSJe1sfg

Utter lack of respect for the laws of Canada was evident during the occupation of Ottawa. Most absurdly in the swearing in of "Peace Officers" among occupiers. It's #SovereignCitizen nonsense that is endemic in extremist right wing groups. It's #BS

https://twitter.com/theserfstv/status/1491845130256408600?s=20&t=_D_lMoer5kH5XkSSJe1sfg

The claim of the #TruckConvoy was they were protesting for #freedom. Freedoms for everybody was clearly not on their agenda. Actions speak louder than words and occupiers didn't like peaceful counter protests impeded their efforts.

https://twitter.com/grahamctv/status/1492224151255490568?s=20&t=_D_lMoer5kH5XkSSJe1sfg

Let's look at the face of the organization. What kind of individuals might they be.
Here's Pat King, a very vocal leader in the protest. Seems nice, no? Certainly no denying his #bigotry.

https://twitter.com/VestsCanada/status/1177995894408581120?s=20&t=8O9JxpIlYWeV_H1xXsdyTw

What about James Bauder, a founder of #CanadaUnity. He's (and his wife) a proponent of #QAnon and other conspiracy nonsense. No wonder he thinks CU's #BearHug operation was legitimate.

espresso.economist.com/9a9ca45c1a515a…

On other leaders (as well as the first 2) @verge has a good article that captures the extremism of the #FreedomConvoy leadership.

theverge.com/2022/2/19/2294…

Let's turn to political leadership to see how some have embraced movement without (or ignoring) convoy's extremism. It says a lot about Canada's conservative right that they dismiss extremist elements. Either they're willfully blind to it or inept or hope to replicate #Trumpism

Here's @PierrePoilievre embracing the #truckerconvoy. Did he not understand what it's goals were (overthrow of duly elected Govt) or was he hoping you'd ignore that part? Election losses are hard.

https://twitter.com/ItsDeanBlundell/status/1492854552328036359?s=20&t=_D_lMoer5kH5XkSSJe1sfg

Here's support offered by an Alberta MLA (was a member of the UCP, before being kicked out over #Covid mandates). Note the iconography in art work he tweeted out. Hard to miss the smoking cross in the background. Yeah, this isn't mandates at all.

https://twitter.com/Drew__Barnes/status/1486050287215210496?s=20&t=kXIZl79-PII7Y4NgN7kCLw

How about we discuss the interim leader of @CPC_HQ, @CandiceBergenMP. She's got quite the background. Might lead us to believe where her thinking is, no?

https://twitter.com/ShelleyJon1/status/1494337459412340736?s=20&t=_D_lMoer5kH5XkSSJe1sfg

Here was her early position on #FreedomConvoy, she's all in on their protest. It's all about politics (ignoring the fact that most of the mandates originate provincially (by @fordnation, a conservative no less).

https://twitter.com/CandiceBergenMP/status/1486104514964955145?s=20&t=jE-O1rA3o6pVzkd7knkQww

Funny though, here was how @CandiceBergenMP reacted to Indigenous blockades in Feb 2020. Can't qwhite figure out the difference between the protest, can you?

Just to reiterate what might be driving @CandiceBergenMP's thinking on the protesters, seems she fully embraces #Trumpism. Most would understand this isn't a positive that she seems to believe.

ctvnews.ca/politics/berge…

Would the @CPC_HQ play politics with the #FreedomConvoy in an attempt to lay issue at @JustinTrudeau's feet. Did they really want Canada's PM to meet with fascists bent on overthrowing our duly elected govt? Most wouldn't, but Candice has a different take.
globalnews.ca/news/8594169/c…

It took a while, but @CandiceBergenMP read the tea leaves and found backing the truckers wasn't in @CPC_HQ's best interests. She had a change of heart (isn't this one of the problems conservatives had with @erinotoole's leadership?). #FlipFlopCons

ottawacitizen.com/opinion/boswel…

Maybe @CandiceBergenMP started taking note of fact that organizers of the #FreedomConvoy weren't really nice people (or rational people for that matter). Extremists (or conspiracy theorists) don't make for good political partners in a #democracy

ctvnews.ca/canada/who-is-…

Just to but a final point on the extremist nature of these protests, here's more that came to light prior to the #EmergencyAct implementation. It's not pretty.
Note the #Diagolon patch on the Kevlar vests.

https://twitter.com/ExecCanuck/status/1493398424879865858?s=20&t=_D_lMoer5kH5XkSSJe1sfg

Here's another aspect of extremism in the #TruckerConvoy support, #Evangelical beliefs. It's the same idiocy that drove some of the Jan 6th insurrection in US (same nonsense drove Evangelical embrace of #Trump)
Whole thread is worth reading

https://twitter.com/sarahposner/status/1493612247096217606?s=20&t=_D_lMoer5kH5XkSSJe1sfg

Back to a deeper dive on extremism among the supporters. Of particular note is #RandyHillier (Twitter account was recently suspended), a provincial member of Ontario legislature (recently ejected from PC party due to anti-#COvid19 mandate stance). Not a rational person.

Turns out #RandyHllier also isn't nice person either. Remember #Diagolon reference in the RCMP weapons seizure at Alberta border protest. Well here's where it gets interesting for Hillier (& family). Hope Canadian LE are watching! Thread on its extremism👇

https://twitter.com/CaptCanuck6/status/1495526422173077505?s=20&t=_D_lMoer5kH5XkSSJe1sfg

Haven't seen any journalism that explore the darker nature of extremist groups in Canada (hey @CBCNews, @CTVNews @TorontoStar @globeandmail maybe give it a try), but here's scary report by @RollingStone with some minor Canadian connections (Note ref to 3%)
rollingstone.com/culture/cultur…

Here's why that's an interesting connection. Most wouldn't have even noticed this flag. Three Percenters are recognized as a Terrorist Organization in Canada. That flag was on a truck in front of the Parliament buildings!

https://twitter.com/ExecCanuck/status/1488240383016546309?s=20&t=kXIZl79-PII7Y4NgN7kCLw

Maybe issue is how deep have these groups penetrated our military & police. A broader examination of efforts to contain protests should involve police/military to understand how dangerous extremist worked themselves into our security institutions
ottawacitizen.com/news/national/…

We also need to understand impact of groups or individuals outside of Canada on the protests. Seems not wholly organic.
Thread:

https://twitter.com/BySteveReilly/status/1491168971152044033?s=20&t=_D_lMoer5kH5XkSSJe1sfg

Also, it was bizarre how vested @FoxNews got into protests (considering how little they report on Canada). Maybe it supported their extremist viewpoint. Or was it more about it fitting their current anti-#science/ anti-#democracy narrative 🤷‍♂️

foxnews.com/media/hannity-…

Or maybe it's all part of same conservative, evangelical, right-wing ecosystem that seems to be consuming US conservative ideology. Over the years, its moved into Canada's right wing circles (Harper using #TeaParty consultants in election effort) Explains
thedailybeast.com/mypillow-guy-m…

They certainly appeared to want to stoke the conservative rage. Can't even fathom what this person was thinking that drove her to consider this absurdity. Really ignorant, in all aspects of the words meaning.

https://twitter.com/RepHerrell/status/1495074433177899015?s=20&t=_D_lMoer5kH5XkSSJe1sfg

As a reminder about the #freedom aspect of the Convoy protest. It was never about mandates, nor your freedom. It was always about them, do you think the people shown in attached video will protect your freedoms or liberty or rights? Or those of minorities?

https://twitter.com/DylanDyson/status/1494790073509978112?s=20&t=_D_lMoer5kH5XkSSJe1sfg

And this, to get a wider sense of the issues #democracy face. This isn't by accident.

https://twitter.com/NoahShachtman/status/1497637062299865088?s=20&t=_D_lMoer5kH5XkSSJe1sfg

Seems #TFG understands the side he is on. Don't ever let him forget or dismiss this. He is a full-on authoritarian. The US will no longer be a democracy should he get back in office. Or even if the @GOP wins back the #WhiteHouse with another leader.

https://twitter.com/atrupar/status/1497737928595943428?s=20&t=_D_lMoer5kH5XkSSJe1sfg

Problem is that political pundits (worldwide) are blind to peril evangelical religion poses to US & world democracies. Absurd embrace of #Rapture drives their politics & outlook on life. It is deeply flawed & dangerous to everyone.

https://twitter.com/RightWingWatch/status/1498410764113256455?s=20&t=_D_lMoer5kH5XkSSJe1sfg

Some had noticed the strange embrace of Putin by evangelicals. But is anyone doing anything about it?
politico.com/magazine/story…

It's only gotten more obvious, given #TFG's embrace of #Putin helping things along. #Democracies ignore this religious connection at their peril, especially in US. Religion doesn't belong in, nor should it drive political power or governance.

msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-…

While some are waking to the danger, are enough so that its danger can be tamped down? #Ukraine is a bellwether in more than one way.
julieroys.com/prominent-chri…

And politically (amazingly) #Putin has support in the US. Clearly too many #Republican's world view is clouded by their religious desires for #Rapture (look into Pompeo's religious view - they should scare you!).

theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/…

Linking back to #TruckerConvoy, how organic was the support on social media?
Some noticed a drop in support after the #Russian invasion.

https://twitter.com/zchamu/status/1498486656881643521?s=20&t=_D_lMoer5kH5XkSSJe1sfg

It might turn out that #Putin's overstep on invading #Ukraine wakes #Republicans / #Evangelicals to danger of embracing dictator over own country, but we shall see. Does Putin excess prevent @GOP completing their transformation in authoritarians?

thehill.com/opinion/intern…

Why does all of this matter to Canadians? Given the whole episode with #TruckerConvoy, embraced by Conservatives, & deluded viewpoints it demonstrated in a significant number of Canadians, it shows our #Democracy is more vulnerable than we likely thought.

Hopefully I've demonstrated extremists are in our ranks, that @CPC_HQ is happy to embrace them & advances their agenda (ignoring the perils), & our security apparatus may be blind to the danger. If the #USDemocracy fails Canada won't last long.

One action that could help is the review of the #EmergencyAct. Does process bring to light the dark underbelly of the protest. Does it explore how easily it occupied a major city, apparently aided by incompetent policing (or worse)? Does it take on #extremism in our wider ranks?

My hope is #TruckerConvoy is given proper weight it deserves & a realization emerges about real threat to #freedoms & #liberty #Putin's invasion of #Ukraine makes clear. Will Canadians recognize what we have & work to protect it from peril extremist views pose to all of us?
/end