Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

Leader of Canadian Nazi Party Seaten Up at Rally in Toronto Park

June 1, 1965
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
Advertisement

John Beattie, leader of the Canadian Nazi party, was beaten up by members of an audience attending a Nazi rally here yesterday, before some 100 police reinforcements arrived at the scene to quell the disturbance and rescue Beattie. The 23-year-old Nazi, along with eight other persons, was charged by police with causing a disturbance.

The riot started in Allan Gardens, a small park here, where some 3, 000 per sons, including many Jews and other anti-Nazis, showed up for the rally in spite of pleas by Meyer Gasner, president of the Canadian Jewish Congress Central Region, that Jews avoid the rally which he described as “a threat to the peace and good order of the community.”

When Beattie was spotted in the crowd passing out leaflets about 15 minutes before the scheduled start of the rally, he was immediately attacked by members of the crowd who caught him as he attempted to flee the park. A second Nazi managed to escape. Police finally managed to bring Feattie to the safety of a patrol car after he sustained cuts and bruises about the head.

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement