In early August, Gord Leamen proudly put up a billboard on his entrance garden that claims “Screw Trudeau, Screw Singh, Capitalism not Socialism, and White Lives Matter.”
“White lives do matter. The white man constructed this nation, and now we’re seeing all of it taken away from us, as a result of Trudeau is letting everyone else come into the nation to take it over, and paying them to take issues over,” mentioned Leamen.
It is the “White Lives Matter”, that has sparked controversy. The slogan has lengthy been thought of a white supremacy rallying cry, with connections to neo-Nazi organizations and beliefs.
“It was by no means meant to be like that. It was by no means meant to be racist. However you need to take it for what you’re feeling like, proper?” mentioned Leamen.
When Patrick Corvyn and Matt Hoy noticed the signal alongside Freeway 21 simply north of Goderich, they have been shocked. Hoy, for one, desires to see the signal taken down – as quickly as potential
“As a Legion member, I think about it an entire insult that on Veterans Freeway we’ve signage that, intimates white supremacy. And that is flawed. That is not what our households fought for, and there isn’t any place for this in Huron County,” mentioned Hoy.
Matt Hoy and Patrick Corvyn are pushing for elimination of “White Lives Matter” signal close to Goderich, Ont., on Sept. 19, 2024. (Scott Miller/ London)
Corvyn has penned a letter and petition with greater than 100 supporters, condemning the roadside billboard. He hoped native MP’s, MPP’s, and mayors would publicly be a part of the combat, however that is not but occurred.
“In order that to me, has been actually saddening and disappointing. I believe it actually alerts of a reckless disregard for the protection of among the most weak members of our group,” mentioned Corvyn.
Leamen mentioned that the direct suggestions he is obtained about his signal has been fully completely different. He mentioned that since he put the join about 6 or 7 weeks in the past, greater than 75 individuals have stopped in, all of them agreeing with the messages on his signal.
“I’ve solely gotten dangerous press within the paper, however I’ve had quite a few individuals drop in right here, shake my hand and say, I like your signal. I want I had the braveness to place one up,” he mentioned.
Gord Leamen stands beside a selfmade billboard he is displaying on his property alongside Freeway 21, north of Goderich, Ont. (Scott Miller/ London)
So far as being a racist, Leamen mentioned that is not who he’s or what he is about.
“I am not a racist. No. It is simply the white man must be stood up for, as a result of they don’t seem to be being stood up for correctly,” he mentioned.
Corvyn and Hoy do not buy it.
“Perhaps he isn’t, however the signage is, is the in need of it. We will not ship that message to the group. Go away these politics south of the border,” mentioned Hoy.
“Creating handmade billboards that promote the names of recognized white supremacist, neo-Nazi teams is a really uncommon passion for a non-racist,” mentioned Corvyn.
Whereas Hoy pushes for the indicators elimination, and Corvyn, for political condemnation of it is messaging, Leamen mentioned that his signal will not come down till Justin Trudeau is not Prime Minister.
“Till he goes out of energy. The day he is gone, the signal comes down. However not till then,” mentioned Leamen.
