MONTREAL(July3, 2018) - Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) is monitoring an increasing number of marches being staged by Quebecfar-right groups, including one this past Sundayin Montreal where a photo was taken depicting a protester performing the Nazi salute.

The march was organized in protest of thefederal government's immigration policies, specifically with regards to asylumseekers at the Lacolle border in southern Quebec. Approximately 200 protestersgathered outside the Citizenship and Immigration Canada offices in downtownMontreal, under tight police surveillance.

Theprotester performing the Nazi salute was photographed by QMI Agencyphotojournalist Dario Ayala alongside others bearing flags and articles ofclothing featuring the symbols of the organizing groups. 

Thirtyminutes into the demonstration, counter-protesters describing themselves asanti-fascist arrived. They attempted to surround the group but were ultimatelykept separate by police. The march lasted approximately three and a half hoursand concluded with the demonstrators being escorted back to their buses, asmany members traveled from outside the greater Montreal area.

Weapplaud the efforts of the Montreal police force to keep the protestpeaceful, but remain concerned about the antisemitic symbolism and rhetoric becoming increasingly present in these and other demonstrations byfar-right groups in La Belle Province.