Warning: This story contains an image of a swastika
As the federal government aims to tackle hate speech, residents in St. Thomas, Ont., are feeling anxious after a neighbor mowed a Nazi symbol into his front yard.
Provincial police were present at the home on Friday afternoon following complaints, OPP spokesperson Derek Rogers mentioned in an email statement, adding that the force “sympathizes with those who find this act both offensive and disturbing.”
Residents report that the swastika was cut into the lawn last Thursday. The symbol spans the entire length and width of the brick bungalow’s yard and is clearly visible from the road.
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Neighbours say this pro-Nazi symbol was mowed into the lawn in front of this Elgin County home last Thursday. A Facebook account that appears to belong to one of the homeowner’s has images of swastikas and other Nazi symbols. (Andrew Lupton/CBC)
People who spoke with say they’ve been questioned by the OPP about the swastika, noting that an OPP vehicle was parked across from the house throughout Friday.
Keith Ridler states that there was a change in ownership at the home last November. Since then, he and other neighbors have frequently heard loud music coming from outside.
“I think the guy should be arrested, no question,” said Ridler.
An additional neighbor-who has a Jewish relative and requested not to be named-expressed it’s troubling to see what she views as a hate symbol displayed in their typically quiet neighborhood, which features houses backing onto a cornfield.
“It’s disturbing,” she remarked. “We’ve had issues with that house all summer.”
WATCH | Nazi symbol on the lawn:
Swastika mowed into front lawn of home in Elgin County
Provincial police officers are looking into complaints from neighbors after a large Nazi symbol was etched into a home’s front lawn on St. Thomas’ eastern edge.
Property records show Timothy Van Sickle and Julia Majkutewicz as owners of this residence. No one responded when a reporter knocked and rang the doorbell on Friday.
The bungalow is located on Centennial Avenue’s east side, which falls under Central Elgin Municipality jurisdiction. Homes directly across are within St. Thomas city limits, roughly 20 kilometers south of London.
The owners purchased this property in November 2024 for $620,000 according to records.
A doormat out front reads “Come back with a warrant,” while a Facebook page tied to Van Sickle features an image of that doormat along with mentions about disputes with neighbors.
Additionally, photos shared on that Facebook page include Nazi symbols such as swastikas along with references to Adolf Hitler. The account’s name is “Timothy Adolf Van Sickler.”
WATCH | Anti-hate legislation tabled:
Justice minister introduces new hate crime legislation
The Attorney General and Justice Minister Sean Fraser announced new legislation on Friday in Ottawa aimed at introducing four Criminal Code offences; one would criminalize intentionally promoting hatred against identifiable groups using specific hate or terrorism-related symbols publicly.
Richard Robertson, director of research and advocacy at B’nai Brith Canada, stated this “disgusting incident” highlights why stronger laws are necessary to prevent overt displays of hate symbols.
“It is unacceptable that nearly 80 years removed from Holocaust that members of our community are weaponizing hakenkreuz [swastika] and other Nazi iconography,” he remarked.
Robertson noted current laws might not categorize displaying a Nazi symbol alone as hate speech unless it can be considered willful public incitement of hatred.
This prompted his organization’s support for Bill C-9 introduced Friday which would make it illegal to promote hatred against identifiable groups publicly using certain hate symbols.
“If police determined there was intent behind it meant to promote hatred towards identifiable groups then charges could be brought under upcoming legislation,” he added.
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Swastika mowed into front lawn of home in Elgin County
Provincial police officers are looking into complaints from neighbors after a large Nazi symbol was etched into a home’s front lawn on St. Thomas’ eastern edge.
Property records show Timothy Van Sickle and Julia Majkutewicz as owners of this residence. No one responded when a reporter knocked and rang the doorbell on Friday.
The bungalow is located on Centennial Avenue’s east side, which falls under Central Elgin Municipality jurisdiction. Homes directly across are within St. Thomas city limits, roughly 20 kilometers south of London.
The owners purchased this property in November 2024 for $620,000 according to records.
A doormat out front reads “Come back with a warrant,” while a Facebook page tied to Van Sickle features an image of that doormat along with mentions about disputes with neighbors.
Additionally, photos shared on that Facebook page include Nazi symbols such as swastikas along with references to Adolf Hitler. The account’s name is “Timothy Adolf Van Sickler.”
WATCH | Anti-hate legislation tabled:
Justice minister introduces new hate crime legislation
The Attorney General and Justice Minister Sean Fraser announced new legislation on Friday in Ottawa aimed at introducing four Criminal Code offences; one would criminalize intentionally promoting hatred against identifiable groups using specific hate or terrorism-related symbols publicly.
Richard Robertson, director of research and advocacy at B’nai Brith Canada, stated this “disgusting incident” highlights why stronger laws are necessary to prevent overt displays of hate symbols.
“It is unacceptable that nearly 80 years removed from Holocaust that members of our community are weaponizing hakenkreuz [swastika] and other Nazi iconography,” he remarked.
Robertson noted current laws might not categorize displaying a Nazi symbol alone as hate speech unless it can be considered willful public incitement of hatred.
This prompted his organization’s support for Bill C-9 introduced Friday which would make it illegal to promote hatred against identifiable groups publicly using certain hate symbols.
“If police determined there was intent behind it meant to promote hatred towards identifiable groups then charges could be brought under upcoming legislation,” he added.Source link
