WHAT IS A HATE GROUP?

• spread lies intended to incite hatred toward certain groups of people
• advocate violence against certain groups on the basis of sexual orientation, race, colour, religion etc.
• claim that their identity (racial, religious etc.) is 'superior' to that of other people
• do not value the human rights of other people

Some of the more aggressive pushers of hate operating in Canada include the Heritage Front, Aryan Nations, Nothern Hammerskins, and the Church of the Creator.

It could happen to you

When most of us think of hate groups, visions of Adolph Hitler, black boots, and swastikas come to mind. We tend to view neo-Nazism as something of a bygone era that no educated person would be taken in by today. Think again.

Many neo-Nazis have university degrees. Hate groups often use glossy advertising and ambiguous names like "Heritage Front" or "Liberty Net." They try to suck students in with pseudo-intellectual arguments about the superiority and inferiority of races, freedom of speech, and the "evils" of immigration. It is only after students are recruited that the real mandate of the organization is revealed. It isn't about engaging in academic discussion or protecting freedom of expression. It's about spreading hate based on irrational fears. Hate grows. Hate consumes.