Hate-group founder drops out of Thompson mayoral race

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This article was published 25/09/2018 (2749 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A candidate for mayor in Thompson haunted by his social media history of supporting white supremacy is dropping out of the race.

“My family is incredibly affected by this news, and by people’s reactions to this matter,” said Ryan Brady, who announced on Facebook Tuesday that he was no longer running for mayor.

“I hate to withdraw, but I am doing what is asked of me by my wife and by others,” said the 29 year old.

His posts on social media nearly a decade ago came to light on the Anti-Racist Canada blogs. In them, he referred to immigrants as “vermin,” Jews as “filthy creatures,” Asians as “sly and cunning” and said that Indigenous people should stick to their reserves “and not bother us.” The former Winnipeg resident founded a group that he called the “Winnipeg White Pride Warriors.”

On Monday when contacted by the Free Press, Brady said those aren’t his views and haven’t been since he left the group 10 years ago.

“The things I posted 10 years ago were wrong and disgusting,” he said, adding that he was working to make amends with his community, friends, family “and our indigenous people here and the communities surrounding Thompson…. If I can change for the better, so can anyone else. That’s how we progress as humans; learning from our mistakes and moving on.”

Critics of Brady’s mayoral bid said they weren’t satisfied that he’s proved he’s changed.

“When you used to be the founder of a hate group, you don’t get to say, ‘Whoops! My bad’!” said one commenter on his Facebook page. Others used vulgar language to describe him.

Brady said he wanted to do “great things for my community and everyone in it.”

“I guess people don’t want these issues worked on, or repaired,” he said on Facebook. “I’ll still be working with the indigenous community and others, to show my views have changed. But enough is enough, fighting hate with hate isn’t progression.”

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca