Neo-Nazis Attempt to Attack Anti-Racists in Scarborough, Ontario
Attack repelled, but remains a warning sign of rise in fascist activity
August 5th, 2007

Today anti-racist and anti-fascist activists from across southern Ontario gathered in Toronto for a regional meeting about upcoming projects happening in various cities, and to participate in two outings of local neo-nazi goons. Following the meeting, the outings took place in sections of Scarborough, which is in the east end of Toronto. The outings were designed to target the communities where neo-nazi organizers live, and expose them to those in their area. The two lucky recipients of the outings were Mike Gaio and Eric Sheridan - two white supremacist boneheads who have claimed affiliation with a group they call the "East End Bootboys".

At 80 Secord Avenue (where Gaio lives), residents thanked the activists throughout the action, and were appreciative of the information they received. With the exception of some whining from a younger sibling of Gaio, and the wild incoherent rants of a woman who appeared to be somewhat unstable, the reception of the outing was very positive, especially from local youth of all ethnic backgrounds. Some folks who were spoken to were well-aware of who Gaio was, and exclaimed that many people would be very upset to learn that organized racist activity was happening in their neighbourhood.

The other destination was 560 Birchmount Road (where Sheridan lives). Activists decided to flyer different streets around his home, including the intersection of St. Clair and Birchmount. As a group of three of the anti-racists were walking down Birchmount, Sheridan and his fellow white power thug Adam Karaba approached from behind, armed with a baseball bat. Screaming "White power!" and "You fucking commies!", they attempted to attack the activists from behind. Sheridan unsuccessfully attacked one activist, while the two other anti-racists confronted would-be-attacker Karaba, who was quickly rejoined by Sheridan (who had been forced to drop his bat). Realizing that the anti-racists weren't backing down, Sheridan and Karaba ran to a local gas station, where they were later spotted speaking with the police.

This latest violent attack by neo-nazis in our city is a disturbing sign of how brazen they have become in their actions. These same individuals have been repeatedly linked to racist and anti-Semitic intimidation and attacks on the Toronto subway system, and in the streets. They've gone unopposed for far too long, and have now stepped up the blatant nature of their actions to include public attacks in the middle of the day, armed with weapons to assault those who oppose their racism and hate. The fear and anger they have about being held accountable for what they spew is crystal clear - and is a very evident sign of how effective these tactics are in exposing such neo-nazi goons for what they are. We must not allow these hateful crimes to go unchallenged. Silence is equal to validation and approval for this type of bigotry. This is the time for us to unite and declare all our streets to be a nazi-free zone! Anti-racists and anti-fascists will return to Scarborough with even stronger ranks in the near future to continue exposing and opposing Sheridan, Gaio, Karaba, and all other racist cowards of east Toronto, and to loudly declare "ˇNo pasarán!" They shall not pass!

ˇAntifascismo para siempre!