Councillor to hold bridge party in response to ‘white supremacists’

A bridge party is planned at the Wortley Road overpass following an anti-immigrant banner unveiled by white nationalists. Bryan Bicknell reports.

A London city councillor wants to take back the Wortley Road Bridge.

Ward 11 Coun. Skylar Franke is hosting a party at the site on Sunday.

“I’m inviting the community and whoever wants to come to what I’m calling the ‘Wortley Bridge Party.’ So, there will be music, coffee, cookies, dancing, bubbles, chalk. I’m hoping the weather is good. But it’s actually an opportunity to hang out on the bridge and fill it with joy and happiness,” said Franke.

While it may be about spreading love and good vibes, it’s in response to an event on the bridge last weekend that fueled anger and fear in the community.

Last Sunday the white nationalist group Second Sons held a demonstration on the bridge.

Approximately 30 members of the group stood in formation wearing dark uniforms and masks. They displayed a banner over the side that read “REMIGRATION NOW,” for anyone driving below to see.

The term refers to ethnic cleansing by way of deporting all non-white immigrants.

“On the Sunday I started to get phone calls and emails and texts from residents who were really concerned, really upset. I passed it along to the London Police Services, and they sent out some folks to help the white supremacists leave. But I was actually quite angry, because, one, I don’t agree at all with what they’re trying to spread. I think they’re trying to use fear and intimidation to channel their messaging. And again, I don’t think it’s reflective of this community,” Franke explained.

Local NDP MPPs Terence Kernaghan, Teresa Armstrong, and Peggy Sattler released a joint statement condemning the demonstration.

Sattler says the group’s messaging puts people at risk.

“This is not about having a discussion about levels of immigration and saying, you know, ‘What’s the right level that we should be looking for.’ This is saying to anyone who doesn’t fit a white nationalist vision of the country. But it is conveying to them that, ‘You don’t belong here, and get out,’” said Sattler.

CTV News reached out to the group Second Sons but did not receive a response by publication deadline.

In the meantime, the Wortley Bridge Party goes Sunday from 12 p.m. until 1p.m.