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Our Story

Our Story: a timeline of No Hate in Huron's work since August 2024

Documentation is resistance.

The aim of the table below is to provide a comprehensive history of No Hate in Huron. The table can be sorted by any column. Search terms can be entered in the search bar. This is an ongoing project in perpetuity. Please check back frequently for additions and updates.

No Hate in Huron values transparency and accountability. We celebrate our right to share our own story. Our story includes correspondence that we have written to individuals and organizations. We will not publicize correspondence received from individuals or organizations without their consent, unless that correspondence is already part of the public record and we believe it is in the public interest to do so.

We believe that archiving our history is important not only to document the resistance, but to share our hard-won insights with others who may wish to engage in similar work. We invite all anti-hate activists, aspiring or otherwise, to glean inspiration from our failures, our missteps, our victories, and most importantly, our joy.

The default view of this table is reverse chronological. To start from the beginning, we invite you to click on the top of the date column.

Our Story

DateTypeDescriptionTagsLinks
2024-08-02Hate activityGord Leamen’s “White Lives Matter” signs appear on his property at the northern entrance of Goderich. White Lives Matter is a widely documented white supremacist rallying cry and is a recognized neo-Nazi international
hate network.
LeamenImage

Wikipedia article
2024-08-04AdvocacyInitial petition created, circulated via email. The signatories include some local elected officials who would later decline to explicitly denounce neo-Nazi and white supremacist ideology.Petition, Solidarity
2024-08-05AdvocacyPetition sent via email to MP Ben Lobb, MPP Lisa Thompson, Huron County Warden Glen McNeil, Huron County CAO Meighan Wark, Goderich Mayor Trevor Bazinet, and the Honourable Kamal Khera. Local news outlets CC’d.PetitionCopy of Email
2024-08-04 (est.)Hate activityCross-border neo-Nazi meetup occurs in Goderich (Aug 2024; precise date uncertain, possibly the Civic Holiday long weekend). Hosted on the property of Goderich resident and tattoo artist Nicholas (‘Nick’) Bennett, identified by the Canadian Anti-Hate Network as a former member of the now-defunct Steel City Proud Boys. The Proud Boys were listed as a terrorist entity in Canada, after which Proud Boys Canada announced it had dissolved.CAHN article

Proud Boys terrorist entity listing
2024-08-06MediaKincardine Record publishes initial petition calling on local officials to denounce Gord Leamen’s hate propaganda.LeamenKincardine Record
2024-08-22MediaCanadian Anti-Hate Network publishes report documenting a cross-border “Active Club” neo-Nazi meetup in Goderich, including photos, participating groups, and reporting that the event was hosted on the property of Nicholas (‘Nick’) Bennett (Posted Aug 22, 2024; Peter Smith).CAHN article
2024-08-26AdvocacyHuron Chamber of Commerce issues a clear, unequivocal denunciation of Gord Leamen’s signs, calling on local elected officials to take action. This represents by far the earliest and clearest public statement of any established organization in Huron County. It remains largely unrivaled.SolidarityHuron Chamber of Commerce statement
2024-09-15AdvocacyNHiH sends email to Goderich Mayor Trevor Bazinet alerting him to report of international neo-Nazi meetup in Goderich a month earlier, urging a public denunciation. Mayor Bazinet responds, expressing existing awareness of the neo-Nazi meetup and his intention “not to engage” on the issue.Copy of email to Mayor Bazinet
2024-09-15AdvocacyNHiH alerts Conservative MP Ben Lobb of the neo-Nazi gathering that occurred in Goderich. Ben Lobb does not respond.Appeasement, Correspondence, Silence, PoliticianCopy of email
2024-09-19Advocacychange.org petition created: “We call on Conservative MP Ben Lobb, Conservative MPP Lisa Thompson, and Huron County Warden Glen McNeil to fully and unequivocally denounce neo-Nazi ideology and white supremacy in all of its forms.”Petitionchange.org
2024-09-23AdvocacyConservative Huron-Bruce MPP and Minister of Rural Affairs, Lisa Thompson responds by email to NHiH defending Gord Leamen’s freedom of expression. Lisa Thompson ignores our call to denounce white supremacist and neo-Nazi ideologies.Appeasement, Correspondence, Politician, SilenceCopy of email exchange
2024-09-23MediaCTV publishes written and video news report “‘White Lives Matter’ billboard sparks controversy in southwestern Ontario.”LeamenCTV report
2024-09-25AdvocacyConservative MP Ben Lobb sends email to NHiH with what appears to be a copied and pasted excerpt from MPP Lisa Thompson’s previous email. NHiH reiterates call to denounce neo-Nazi and white supremacist ideology, which Lobb ignores with silence.Appeasement, Correspondence, Politician, SilenceCopy of email exchange
2024-09-27Goderich Mayor Trevor Bazinet posts Facebook message opposing hate in broad terms. His statement makes no explicit mention of recent neo-Nazi and white supremacist activity and propaganda.Copy of Mayor Bazinet’s Facebook post
2024-09-27AdvocacyNHiH sends email to Huron County Warden Glen McNeil and Ashfield-Colborne Wawanosh Deputy Mayor Bill Vanstone encouraging them to denounce white supremacist and neo-Nazi ideologies. They do not respond. Appeasement, Correspondence, Politician, SilenceCopy of email to McNeil and Vanstone
2024-09-29Hate activityRecruitment stickers advertising neo-Nazi hate group discovered along Goderich boardwalk.Document of compiled photos
2024-09-29CommunicationNHiH creates and distributes “The Story of No Hate in Huron (so far).”Details and analysis
2024-09-30AdvocacyNHiH receives letter from the CAO of the County of Huron, Meighan Wark, expressing solidarity and encouragement. Meighan Wark expresses that the letter will be forwarded to local elected officials. Local elected officials remain silent on the issue.Correspondence, Solidarity, SilenceCopy of letter from Huron County CAO
2024-10-01 (approx.)AdvocacyNo Hate in Huron signs begin appearing in windows across Huron County.Solidarity
2024-10-06MediaRadio Canada article: “À l’entrée du « plus beau village du Canada », une pancarte crée le malaise.”Radio Canada article
2024-10-07AdvocacyNHiH presents “The Story of No Hate in Huron (So Far)” as a deputation to Goderich Town Council, and provides Council with a draft statement and a brief resolution explicitly denouncing Nazi and neo-Nazi ideologies. Council receives the motion for further consideration over the next two weeks.Copy of NHiH’s proposed motion

Goderich Town Council meeting minutes (Item 6.1. Video timestamp: 05:30)
2024-10-10MediaPostmedia news publishes article in multiple local newspapers regarding NHiH deputation to Goderich Town Council.London Free Press article
2024-10-11MediaBayshore Broadcasting publishes article regarding NHiH deputation to Goderich Town Council.Bayshore Broadcasting article
2024-10-11MediaCTV publishes print and video news report “Mayor ‘denounces hate’ as debate around white lives matter sign intensifies.”CTV report
2024-10-15 (approx.)Hate Activity“White Lives Matter” homemade billboard appears on Anglesea Street in Goderich. White Lives Matter is a widely documented white supremacist rallying cry and is a recognized neo-Nazi international
hate network.
Image

Wikipedia article
2024-10-21Advocacy, CommunicationHearing that NHiH’s draft motion is poised to die on the floor at Goderich Town Council, NHiH emails supporters to watch the October 21, 2024 meeting closely and sends a copy to Council underscoring public scrutiny.Copy of email
2024-10-21AdvocacyGoderich Town Council “accepts” NHiH’s draft statement, then votes in a completely rewritten “friendly amendment” that removes any explicit denunciation of Nazi and neo-Nazi ideology. Council describes the rewrite as “more robust in its scope” while “stay[ing] true to the spirit” and “build[ing] upon” the original motion.Appeasement, EquivocationGoderich Town Council meeting minutes (Item 13.1. Video timestamp: 1:04:40).
2024-10-24MediaBayshore Broadcasting publishes article with misleading title “Goderich Passes Move To Condemn Local Neo-Nazi Rhetoric.” In fact, Goderich Town Council actively excised the proposed motion of any explicit denunciation of neo-Nazism.Bayshore Broadcasting Article
2024-10-25Media, CommunicationNHiH emails Bayshore Broadcasting inviting them to reconsider the accuracy of their reporting on the October 21, 2024 Goderich Town Council motion. No response received.Email to Bayshore Broadcasting
2024-12-01 (approx.)AdvocacyDozens of homemade lawn signs begin popping up across Goderich and area with messages of hope, welcome, care and inclusion.Counter-messaging, SolidarityDetails and analysis
2024-11-01CommunicationNHiH creates and distributes “The Story of No Hate in Huron (Part 2).”Details and analysis
2024-11-13AdvocacyTo mark Day 100 of our advocacy campaign, NHiH sends a repeated call to MP Ben Lobb, MPP Lisa Thompson, and Huron County Warden Glen McNeil to issue a statement denouncing neo-Nazi and white supremacist ideologies. None of them respond.Appeasement, Correspondence, Politician, SilenceCopy of email
2024-11-13CommunityNHiH receives greetings and encouragement from Prime Minister Trudeau who explicitly denounces neo-Nazism.Endorsement, SolidarityLetter from Prime Minister Trudeau
2024-11-18MediaThe Citizen publishes article on upcoming “Community Cabaret 4 Caring and Camaraderie.”The Citizen article (web archive)
Huron Citizen article (pdf)
2024-11-18Advocacy, CommunityHuron County Pride issues press release endorsing NHiH and explicitly denouncing neo-Nazi and white supremacist ideologies.SolidarityHuron County Pride press release
2024-11-19Hate ActivityGord Leamen adds another large homemade billboard to his trailer that reads “Save Canada Stop Immigration.” Various iterations and combinations of new signage appear in the months following.Image
2024-11-20AdvocacyNHiH sends email to Goderich Town Council calling for a return to good-faith communication. The Town of Goderich CAO had phoned at least one partner organization seeking information about NHiH’s Nov. 23 cabaret and peace walk without contacting NHiH directly. Meanwhile, a Goderich Tourism staff member texted an NHiH organizer from her personal cell phone seeking information about NHiH’s plans and contacts (including whether NHiH had involved police). The staff member initially stated she was acting at Council’s direction and then later retracted that claim in a subsequent email.
2024-11-22Advocacy, MediaNHiH interviewed on CBC Radio’s Afternoon Drive with Matt Allen.Appeasement, Celebration, Community, SilenceDetails and analysis
2024-11-22MediaCBC.ca article: “Roadside sign near Goderich sees community planning anti-hate event.”CBC.ca article
2024-11-23Advocacy, Community, Education, Event
“Community Cabaret 4 Caring and Camaraderie (CC4CC)” event at Goderich Legion and Courthouse Square.2SLGBTQ+, Celebration, Comedy, Dance, Drag, Music, Mutuality, Peace Walk, Solidarity, Table of Care Details and Analysis
2024-11-28MediaThe Citizen publishes article celebrating NHiH’s “Community Cabaret 4 Caring and Camaraderie.”The Citizen article (web archive)
The Citizen article (pdf)
2024-11-28MediaGoderich Sun prints Huron County Pride’s endorsement of NHiH on front page of newspaper.2SLGBTQ+, SolidarityGoderich Sun

Image of front page
2024-12-05CommunityNHiH receives letter of support from the Honourable Kamal Khera, Minister of Diversity,
Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities.
SolidarityLetter from the Honourable Kamal Khera
2024-12-05AdvocacyNHiH sends email to newly elected Warden of Huron County, Jamie Heffer. The email provides background on the situation and renews the call to denounce neo-Nazi and white supremacist ideology. Warden Heffer does not reply. Appeasement, Correspondence, Politician, SilenceCopy of email to Warden Jamie Heffer
2024-12-06
Advocacy, EducationNHiH invites Town of Goderich to collaborate in bringing educational workshop to community. Town of Goderich does not reply.Equivocation, SilenceCopy of email to Janice Hallahan, Chief Administrative Officer of Town of Goderich
2025-01-27AdvocacyOpen letter to Huron County officials – International Holocaust Remembrance Day.Correspondence, Lobb, Thompson, McNeil, HefferOpen letter to Huron County officials
2025-01-27AdvocacyNHiH closes its change.org petition urging local elected officials to denounce neo-Nazi and white supremacist ideologies, given that the window for meaningful action had passed. The petition is closed with 931 signatories.Silencechange.org petition
2025-02-01 to 2025-02-27AdvocacyNHiH actively encourages Huron-Bruce candidates for the Ontario general election to issue a statement unequivocally denouncing neo-Nazi and white supremacist ideology. Only two candidates do so: Liberal Ian Burbidge and NDP Nick McGregor.Election, Politicians, SolidarityCopy of Ian Burbidge’s statement

Copy of Nick McGregor’s statement
2025-02-06MediaGoderich Sun prints edited version of International Holocaust Remembrance Day letter.Goderich Sun (pg. 11)
2025-03-06CommunityLakeshore United Church publicly expresses solidarity with NHiH in Goderich Sun re: January 27 2025 letter.Correspondence, SolidarityGoderich Sun (pg. 4)
Image
2025-04-07AdvocacyNHiH attends the Huron-Bruce all-candidates meeting in Kincardine leading up to the federal election. All candidates in attendance respond “yes” when asked if they denounce white supremacist and neo-Nazi ideology. NHiH issues a press release and corresponds extensively with the candidates urging them to release a statement explicitly denouncing neo-Nazi and white supremacist ideologies. Only one candidate does so: NDP Melanie Burrett.

An independent candidate did not attend the all-candidates meeting that evening. The Sudbury Star previously reported that candidate was a former member of the Soldiers of Odin, a recognized hate group.
Election, Politicians, SolidarityCopy of Melanie Burrett’s statement


YouTube video of all-candidates meeting. Relevant segment begins at 02:05:00

April 17, 2025 Goderich Sun

Press release published as letter to the editor by Goderich Sun (April 17, 2025)

Sudbury Star: “Former Soldier of Odin in Sudbury running for office” (August 18, 2021)

Canadian Anti-Hate Network reporting on Sudbury Soldiers of Odin

Wikipedia article on Soldiers of Odin
2025-04-29Community, Education, EventNHiH welcomes our friends at the Canadian Anti-Hate Network to speak in Goderich. Hazel Woodrow of the CAHN states: “What is happening in Goderich is magical and should be a model for the entire country.”CAHN, Community, Education, MusicDetails and Analysis
2025-05-15CommunityNHiH receives and accepts invitation to join Huron County Local Immigration Partnership.Coalition, Community, Solidarity
2025-06-25Social MediaNHiH launches its Facebook page.Link to Facebook page
2025-07-11OppositionNHiH sends letter to the Town of Goderich. The Town had imposed barriers to NHiH’s one-year anniversary peace walk, sending an unsolicited application package requiring event insurance and an overreaching “Hold Harmless” agreement. Insurers deemed the walk “political activity” and declined to provide coverage. The Town’s “Hold Harmless” agreement required NHiH to indemnify the Town and the OPP against any claims or harms arising from the event. NHiH refuses to sign, citing the long history of state harm against marginalized communities and the need to protect participants. NHiH’s concerns deepen regarding the Town’s willingness to engage in good faith.Obstructionism, SuppressionLetter to Town of Goderich
2025-07-18AdvocacyNHiH submits email to Town of Goderich CAO (cc: selected Town Councillors and key staff). Our email reiterates our refusal (and inability) to waive the Charter rights of community members. The email ends with an invitation for the Town to identify any concrete steps they have taken to address the emergence of neo-Nazi and white supremacist activity. No response is received.Copy of email
2025-07-18MediaCBC publishes results of a comprehensive months-long investigation into neo-Nazi “Active Clubs” of the same type that assembled in Goderich a year earlier.CBC investigation
2025-07-25CommunityInternationally renowned author and activist Maude Barlow provides endorsement of NHiH.Endorsement, SolidarityEndorsement by Maude Barlow
2025-07-31Advocacy, Community, EducationNHiH joins Corrections Ontario Anti-Racism Working Group for online “Fireside Chat” to discuss our work.Image
2025-08-01MediaNHiH Featured in rabble.ca.Recognitionrabble.ca spotlight
2025-08-01MediaBayshore Broadcasting publishes short article on NHiH’s upcoming One Year Anniversary Party.Bayshore Broadcasting article
2025-08-04Advocacy, Community, Education, EventOne Year Anniversary Party featuring local spiritual leaders, peace walk, lunch, and local vocal diva Jenna Smith.Celebration, Mutuality, Peace Walk, Spirituality, Table of CareDetails and Analysis
2025-08-12AdvocacyGord Leamen receives open letter from community via UPS with moral appeal to consider changing his signage. Gord responds by adding more “White Lives Matter” signs to his property.Correspondence, LeamenOpen Letter to Gord Leamen
2025-08-12AdvocacyNHiH submits email to Town of Goderich notifying them of letter sent to Gord Leamen encouraging the removal of his White Lives Matter signage. NHiH repeats its call to Town of Goderich to explicitly denounce neo-Nazi and white supremacist ideology. No response received. Copy of email
2025-08-12AdvocacyNHiH submits email to Huron County Council notifying them of letter sent to Gord Leamen encouraging the removal of his White Lives Matter signage. NHiH repeats its call to Huron County Council to explicitly denounce neo-Nazi and white supremacist ideology. No response received. Copy of email
2025-08-19Community, Education, Event“Peace in Every Moment” event at Huron County Museum with Buddhist nun Gen Kelsang Kunden from Guelph.SpiritualityDetails and Analysis
2025-09-20Advocacy, Community, Education, EventScreenings of NFB film “Parade: Queer Acts of Love and Resistance” in partnership with Huron County Museum. Featured activist Rico Rodriguez provides Q&A and drag performance.2SLGBTQ+, Film, SolidarityDetails and Analysis
2025-10-01MilestoneNHiH incorporates federally as a non-profit with six inaugural board members.Articles of Incorporation
2025-11-23MilestoneFive hour inaugural board meeting held in basement of Lakeshore United Church (on 1 year anniversary of our CC4CC event).
2025-11-23CommunityNHiH forms a team for the Coldest Night of the Year to fundraise for the Goderich – Huron Homelessness Initiative.Donate or join our team here!
2025-12-05MediaNHiH’s actions praised in editorial in The Citizen.The Citizen editorial
2025-12-25CommunityCommunity Christmas brunch in partnership with Maple Leaf Motel and Lakeshore United Church.Celebration, Music, Mutuality, Solidarity, Spirituality, Table of CareDetails and Analysis
2026-01-24Advocacy, CommunityNHiH publishes On Silence and Appeasement to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27). SolidarityArticle and Statements
2026-01-27Advocacy, CommunityNHiH releases The Lighthouse Accord: Statements of Unity and Shared Commitments to Peace. Huron County organizations are invited to sign.SolidarityThe Lighthouse Accord
2026-02-03CommunityNHiH and Maple Leaf Motel present donation to Alexandra Marine & General Hospital’s Magnetic Moments Campaign for an MRI machine.AMGH Facebook Post
2026-02-06 to 2026-02-08Education, CommunityNHiH attends the Rebel Knowledge Symposium organized by OPIRG at the University of Guelph. Our work is highlighted during a panel discussion.Link to recording (Panel title: In Your Homes, In Your Communities)
2026-02-11CommunityNHiH sends invitations to sign the Lighthouse Accord to dozens of organizations across Huron County — faith communities, service clubs, Legions, school boards, labour unions, non-profits, municipalities, arts and culture organizations, fitness clubs, health care facilities, and local businesses — reaching across nearly every sector of civic life in the County.Coalition, SolidarityThe Lighthouse Accord
2026-02-11CommunityHuron County Pride signs onto the Lighthouse Accord.Coalition, SolidarityHuron County Pride
The Lighthouse Accord
2026-02-11CommunityHuron County Quakers sign onto the Lighthouse Accord.Coalition, SolidarityQuakers in Canada
The Lighthouse Accord
2026-02-17CommunityFriend of NHiH John Powers releases his album Everyone’s A Critic, featuring “Love Lives Here,” (the official song of No Hate in Huron), written in response to Gord Leamen’s sign.Everyone’s A Critic
2026-02-27GovernanceNHiH holds its second board meeting at Lakeshore United Church.
2026-02-28CommunityNHiH fundraises $1270 for the Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser for the Huron Homelessness Initiative.Details and Analysis
2026-04-06CommunityLakeshore United Church signs onto the Lighthouse Accord.Coalition, SolidarityLakeshore United Church
The Lighthouse Accord
2026-05-05CommunityArtemis Huron signs onto the Lighthouse Accord.Coalition, SoldiarityArtemis Huron
The Lighthouse Accord
2026-05-29GovernanceNHiH holds board meeting.
2026-05-30FundraiserNHiH organizes and hosts community yard sale, raising over $3300 with proceeds split with Artemis Huron.Coalition, Solidarity
2026-06-03FilmNHiH hosts encore screening of “Parade: Queer Acts of Love & Resistance” at Huron County Museum, in partnership with Huron County Pride. Legendary organizers Tim McCaskell and Tony Souza joining remotely for Q&A.2SLGBTQ+
2026-06-06CommunityNHiH hosts community booth for first time at Huron County Pride.2SLGBTQ+
2026-06-17Social MediaNHiH creates an Instagram account (@nohateinhuron). The first post is a statement in solidarity with Perth County, following the vandalism of flagpoles bearing the Pride flag at local schools.2SLGBTQ+, Instagram, PerthStatement of solidarity with Perth
2026-06-21Social MediaNHiH begins directly challenging white supremacist and white nationalist propaganda appearing in Goderich-specific Facebook groups.Advocacy, Education
2026-07-06Milestone, Social MediaNHiH marks Day 700 and makes its second Instagram post.“How it Started” image
2026-07-15Social Media, Hate Activity, Advocacy, EducationNHiH provides public warnings about a newly created overtly neo-Nazi Facebook page. The page promotes a group with “Huron County” in its name, with a photo of the Goderich lighthouse in its banner, along with a quotation attributed to George Lincoln Rockwell (found of the American Nazi party) that promotes “deadly hatred.” The page features overtly Nazi symbology and extreme racist, homophobic, and antisemitic content, including Holocaust denialism. The branding of the page matches that of Second Sons Canada, the largest white supremacist network in Canada. NHiH notifies local authorities and writes to Goderich area venues encouraging vigilance when renting out meeting space. NHiH reports the page to Facebook and receives a reply from Facebook saying that the page falls within its definition of acceptable community standards. Image of Facebook page banner

2026-08-06 Warning re Second Sons Canada (redacted)

2026-08-10 follow up email regarding Dominion Society with link to resources
2026-06 to 2026-09Social MediaNHiH provides ongoing online resistance to a steady flood of hate propaganda posted on the Facebook group “Goderich Chit-Chat.” The hate propaganda is primarily created by the Dominion Society of Canada, a white nationalist organization pressing for the forced deportation of millions of citizens and residents of Canada. Advocacy
2026-08-02CommunityNHiH makes donation and provides volunteer support to the “Hey Guy!” benefit concert for beloved community member Jamie Wallace.
2026-08-04MilestoneNHiH quietly marks our two year anniversary.
2026-08-12EducationNHiH launches our “Know Their Tricks” campaign: a series of social media posts identifying commonly used tricks that hate movements use to evade accountability.
2026-08-13EducationNHiH launches our online Knowledge Centre: a treasure trove of resources, websites, news articles, books, films, videos, podcasts and radio interviews related to our work. The materials range from local to global in focus.Knowledge Centre
2026-09-19AdvocacyNHiH launches a survey in advance of the October 26 municipal elections, asking each candidate how they plan to address discrimination and organized hate in Huron County.