Items

• 
  2021-01-29

  A different kind of anti-mask rally

  This post is pretty important to me, in a lot of ways, mainly because of the fear it’s evoked in me, or anger, both probably. This is an advertisement for the ‘Walk for Freedom’ event, to take place outside the legislature building of Edmonton, in Alberta. This is supposedly an anti-mask, anti-lockdown movement however it would be incorrect to assume that this movement only had once face. In reality, the Albertan anti-mask movement has large components of white-supremacists, fascists, Nazis who have been seen at several previous anti-mask rallies throughout the province. During these events, local businesses which enforce social distancing, those with masks and reportedly visible minorities are subjected to verbal and physical abuse. Organizations such as the Proud Boys, The Sons of Odin are all present at these events and eagerly recruit pandemic skeptics into their groups by binding the cause of ‘freedom’ to that of bigotry and hatred. I know my description of this event seems bad enough, and may have your head scratching with how I’m essentially saying this rally is going to be full of neo-Nazi’s and white supremacists, but I just want to point out the most glaring issue present within this advertisement. Those people marching, that photo is from the ‘Unite the Right’ march in Charlottesville in 2017, they actively chose that image – and the historic fascist imagery of a torch march to be the face of their movement. Essentially, this isn’t very tongue and cheek anymore; there is going to be a fascist march on my province’s capitol. Already, counter-protestors are organizing to show up and face these people in the streets. It’s even more concerning when police and governmental figures are not saying a word about this march, we have no idea if they’re prepared for what’s supposed to come. I could go on for pages, but, I’m just scared. Alberta desperately wants to be like its southern neighbor, we elected a man who markets himself as a fiscal conservative in the shadow of Donald Trump, who has a history of advocating for restrictive policies directed towards the LGTBQ+ community and we had people take to the streets as the American capitol was stormed. They were waving American flags and thin blue line American flags, it’s just insanity, I don’t understand these people. I’m adding this to the archive because I just want to try and illustrate the tone of politics in Alberta, in regards to our pandemic skeptics. From my perspective, the anti-mask movements down in the states appear to be relatively simple, entitled and ignorant people marching for their ‘rights,’ mistaking inconvenience for oppression, I’m aware there is also a stark politicization of masks down in the States. However, here there’s a more sinister tone to it – it’s become embroiled in conspiracies of a ‘great reset’, anti-Semitism and infiltrated by organized Fascist movements to gain larger bases. I feel as if I’m rambling, but there’s just so much to say – I hope it doesn’t turn into anything as similar as America’s January 6th or Charlottesville, I hope people don’t show up.
• 
  2021-01-26

  Anti-maskers vs. The Scroll of Truth

  This is a simple meme I created using the scroll of truth template in order to convey how I feel about those who seek to end the pandemic but refuse to wear masks.
• 
  2020-09-12

  Social anti-mask: Anti-mask protest in Montreal draws large crowd, propelled by U.S. conspiracy theories

  Pictured is an anti-mask protest in Montreal which drew a large crowd.
• 
  2020-12-08

  "Anti-mask sentiment 'very similar to brainwashing,' prof says in wake of Sask. COVID-19 protest"

  This photo shows a large gathering of protesters in a park with a man wearing the Canadian flag
• 
  2020-07-20

  "My body my choice"

  This photo shows one protester holding up a sign which states "My body, my choice."
• 
  2020-10-01

  "Hugs over Masks"

  This photo shows two children wearing shirts that say "hugs over masks."
• 
  2020-09-20

  Photo of anti-mask protesters

  Anti-maskers ought to be remembered, not because their position is valid, but because we need to remember that how some people acted against the interests of the general population. Often, historical narratives of humanitarian crises focus on this idea of "everyone banded together and we all helped everyone survive." But this is way too simple, and there is a sizable part of our society who did not work to help others survive.
• 
  2020-09-26

  Elderly Man Killed after Confronting Man Without a Mask

  This incident happened in a neighborhood near my own. An elderly man was concerned when he saw a patron in the same bar as him without a mask. In New York State, masks are required inside all buildings open to the public by Governor Andrew Cuomo's order. The elderly man, Rocco Sapienza, confronted the anti-masker, Donald Lewinski, asking him why he wasn't wearing a mask and suggesting he put one on. Lewinski shoved Sapienza to the ground where he hit his head and never regained consciousness. Sapienza subsequently died in the hospital. Lewinski has been arrested. This comes 5 months after an elderly #BLM protestor was shoved to the ground by Buffalo police. His head smashed on the concrete and he was hospitalized for weeks. The news spread over the national news and the #BLM protestor was accused of being a hired crisis actor by conspiracy theorists. These incidences of inter-personal violence are perhaps nothing new- police brutality and bar brawls unfortunately happen all the time. But they appear to have taken on a new political significance in 2020. mask, Buffalo, New York, #BLM, anti-masker, Governor Andrew Cuomo, mask mandate, violence
• 
  2020-09-15

  Antimaskers Storm Target in Florida

  The video shows a group of people protesting masks in a target in Florida. The protesters can be heard saying, "Take it off" and were playing "We're not gonna take it" by Twisted sister on a speaker. anti-masker, Target, mask, Florida