For Immediate Release
Toronto, October 28, 1996... B地ai Brith applauds the work of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in seizing a large quantity of weapons stockpiled by members of a U.S. based militia group in Smithers B.C. However, B地ai Brith is dismayed that the federal government is reportedly not working towards the extradition of the two American individuals who illegally smuggled the vast quantity of weapons into Canada.
Dr. Stephen Scheinberg, editor of B地ai Brith痴 publication The Extreme Right: International Peace & Security at Risk (forthcoming Westview Press/Harper Collins version) stated: “While extremely unsettling, it is not surprising that U.S. based militias are setting up training sites in Canada as they are under great scrutiny in the United States in the wake of the events in Waco, TX. and Oklahoma City. Canada is an attractive alternative for these groups due to our large tracts of remote areas and our proximity to the United States.”
Harry Abrams, the League for Human Rights' B.C. representative stated: “The Canadian west is becoming a haven for right-wing extremists. British Colombia is home to last years "Aryan of the Year" Charles Scott and to Terry Long, who is well known for his extreme right-wing activities. It should also be remembered that police have yet to apprehend the individual(s) involved in the attempted bombing of the Calgary Jewish Community Centre.”
Rochelle Wilner, National Chair of the League for Human Rights stated: “It is troubling that the federal government is not seeking the extradition of the two individuals allegedly involved in the smuggling of an arsenal of weapons into Canada. The transnational smuggling of weapons is a criminal offense both in the United States and in Canada and those involved should therefore be charged and extradited to Canada.”
Canada more than ever has to be on guard against hate groups. It is evident that hate groups both within Canada and the United States are increasingly turning to violence to achieve their goals. B地ai Brith is calling on all levels of government and police to be more vigilant towards extreme right-wing groups.
B地ai Brith Canada is Canadian Jewry痴 senior advocacy organization and a leader in monitoring neo-nazi and hate groups in Canada. B地ai Brith Canada痴 Institute for International Affairs recently published a comprehensive report on the international extreme right which will be published later this fall by Westview Press\Harper Collins.
-30-
Institute for International Affairs
| Commission
for Jewish Culture
| Sports Corporation
| League
for Human Rights
| Publications
Current Press Releases
| Government Relations Office
| Centre for Community Action
| B'nai
Brith Foundation
The Jewish Tribune
| Canadian Jewish Law Students Association
| B'nai Brith Canada's Home Page