Ban on Nazi symbols passes at Pickering Council after lengthy debate

A straightforward motion to ban the use of the Nazi swastika and other Nazi symbols in Pickering became anything but straightforward after controversial Councillor Lisa Robinson tried to equate the swastika with the anti-racism Black power raised fist, calling it a “symbol of hate” common to “Communist and Marxist ideologies.”

Council was told of the “profound emotional impact” of seeing the swastika by Durham District School Board trustee Emma Cunningham, who made it clear in her response to Robinson’s comment that the two symbols do not have “anything in common.”

Cunningham, who is Jewish, urged Council to adopt the motion, saying that seeing a swastika “feels like a punch to the stomach,” adding her children are “afraid to tell people” of their faith for fear of repercussions.

“Jew hate is on the rise,” Cunningham said, citing police data showing a 69 per cent rise in hate crimes, with the majority of hate crimes against Jews involving the Nazi swastika.

Robinson, who has appeared on podcasts run by neo-Nazis in the past, continued to try and deflect the impact of Nazi symbols, saying other cultures also use similar symbols before bringing the raised fist symbol into the debate, prompting warnings from Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe, who eventually muted Robinson’s microphone so the discussion could continue.

Robinson responded with cue cards, bringing another scolding from Ashe on breaching protocols.

A request by the Ward 1 councillor to amend the motion so non-Nazi swastikas aren’t banned was lost for want of a seconder, as it was argued the motion already included provisions for education and protocols to ensure there was no ambiguity.

“There’s no misunderstanding of what we are banning. This motion uses the word ‘Nazi’ six times,” said Councillor Maurice Brenner, who introduced the motion. “This very clear and simple. “This motion is all about Nazi hate.”

Robinson, who was the lone dissenter on several votes throughout Monday’s meeting – including a reaffirming of council’s decision to move all meetings to a virtual format to ensure public safety – ending up voting in favour of the ban.

As to moving council meetings away from in-person, the controversial councillor – whose supporters disrupting council meetings in 2024 was the reason for the format switch – accused her colleagues of trying to “manipulate public perception” and a “political agenda.”

“There was never a real threat,” she said. “It’s nothing but a big ol’ charade.”

That comment drew another sharp rebuke from Ashe, who said regional council meetings are going virtual for the same reason and because of the same people.

“Your lack of self-awareness,” Ashe said, “is quite amazing.”