Grace Thompson
The Sons of Odin is an organization with chapters across Canada, including Hamilton and Quebec, that was formed in Norway. The group has been met with criticism and skepticism, with some likening it to the rise of fascism and the Brownshirts in Nazi Germany. The Sons of Odin have been described as a far-right group that is against the spread of Sharia law. They have been compared to the Soldiers of Odin, a Finnish organization with a similar stance against immigration. The Sons of Odin claim to be a community-minded service organization, engaging in activities such as park clean-ups and late-night patrols. The group's leader, Russ Bingham, has emphasized that they are not looking to start fights or cause problems. Interestingly, the Sons of Odin share a name with the Odin Brotherhood, a group that practices the modern pagan religion of Heathenry and embraces Odinism. The existence of the Odin Brotherhood has also been questioned by scholars and the Heathen community.
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What You'll Learn
'Sons of Odin' groups are unrelated to the Soldiers of Odin
The Sons of Odin is a group that was formed in Norway and has been doing park and street patrols in Hamilton, Canada. The group's leader, Russ Bingham, a Hamilton roofer, says that the Sons of Odin is a community-minded service organization and is unrelated to the Soldiers of Odin, a Finnish-born organization with a stated aim to "take back our streets". Bingham also clarified that they are unrelated to the motorcycle gang, the car club, and Sons of Odin IC.
The Soldiers of Odin (SOO) is an anti-immigrant group founded in Kemi, Finland, in October 2015. The group was established in response to the thousands of migrants who arrived in Finland during the European migrant crisis. They refer to themselves as a "patriotic organization that fights for a Finland" that wants to scare away "Islamist intruders" they say cause insecurity and increase crime. The group's founder, Mika Ranta, has connections to the far-right and neo-Nazi Nordic Resistance Movement and has a criminal conviction stemming from a racially motivated assault. The Soldiers of Odin gained momentum in 2016 after incidents such as the New Year's Eve sexual assaults in Germany and has since expanded its presence to several other countries, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
While the Sons of Odin group in Hamilton, Canada, claims to be unrelated to the Soldiers of Odin, some people have raised concerns about their activities. Critics, such as Matthew Green, a Ward 3 councillor, have compared their patrols to the Brownshirts in Nazi Germany and warned that they represent the beginning of fascism. Peter Clarke, an organizer of Hamilton Against Fascism, also expressed concern about their agenda, stating that they are "evil people" and "nasty people."
In conclusion, while the Sons of Odin groups claim to be unrelated to the Soldiers of Odin, there are similarities in their stated goals and activities. Both groups have been associated with xenophobic and far-right ideologies, and their activities have raised concerns among community members and anti-fascist organizations. However, without further evidence or official statements, it is challenging to definitively prove a connection between the two groups.
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Members wear standard-issue black shirts with a white Viking logo
I was not able to find any information on whether Catholics are allowed in the Sons of Odin. However, I did find information on a group called Soldiers of Odin, which is a hate group with neo-Nazi and anti-immigration sentiments. This group has chapters in several countries, including Finland, Canada, Sweden, Norway, Australia, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Estonia, the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Spain, and the United States.
The Soldiers of Odin group has been involved in various activities, including street patrols, community service, and social media recruitment campaigns. They have also been accused of fabricating stories, intimidating members of minority communities, and having connections to extremist individuals and media outlets.
With regards to your specific query about the attire of members, I found a web store that sells "Sons of Odin" merchandise, including T-shirts, stickers, wall art, and home decor. The designs feature various Viking-themed imagery, with tags such as "Viking," "Norse," "Odin," "Nordic," "Warrior," "Celtic," "Runes," "Thor," "Pagan," and "Valhalla." The products are created and sold by independent artists and are described as "socially responsible."
While I cannot confirm whether these products are officially sanctioned by the Soldiers of Odin group, the use of similar Viking-inspired symbols and themes suggests an alignment with the group's ideology. It is possible that members of the group may choose to wear such merchandise, including black shirts with a white Viking logo, as a form of identification or expression of their beliefs.
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Members have been seen doing park and street patrols
Members of the Sons of Odin have been seen doing park and street patrols in Hamilton, Canada. The group's leader, Russ Bingham, says it's a community-minded service organization that wants to prevent the spread of Sharia law. However, others have criticised the group, calling it a step toward fascism.
The Sons of Odin formed in February and, by July, they had already conducted several park cleanups in Hamilton and three late-night downtown patrols. Bingham, who is also a Hamilton roofer, said that the patrols are meant to distribute "water and granola bars" to homeless people and make sure everyone is okay. He added that they had picked up trash twice at Sam Lawrence Park, filling a dozen garbage bags.
The group has been met with opposition from those who view them as a racist and corrosive presence in the community. Members of Hamilton Against Fascism have been seen standing near Sons of Odin members during their patrols. Critics argue that the Sons of Odin's actions are reminiscent of the Brownshirts in Nazi Germany and that their community service is just a front for a xenophobic agenda.
The Sons of Odin say they are unrelated to the Soldiers of Odin, a Finnish-born organization with a stated aim to "take back our streets." They also deny any connection to the motorcycle gang, the car club, and Sons of Odin IC. However, Bingham acknowledged that they are friendly with the Soldiers of Odin.
The presence of the Sons of Odin in Hamilton has sparked concerns about the rise of extremist groups in the area and their potential impact on the community. Some worry that their mandate to fight the spread of Shariah law in Canada is a cover for racist and Islamophobic beliefs. The group has also faced criticism for their views on immigration, with their Facebook bio describing "out of control" immigration and the growing need for Muslims in the country to "take over."
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The Sons of Odin say they are a community-minded service organization
The Sons of Odin, formed in Norway, is a community-minded service organization that has been involved in several Hamilton park cleanups and late-night downtown patrols. The group's leader, Russ Bingham, the High King of Sons of Odin Canada, says there are about 30 Sons of Odin members in Hamilton and nearly 800 in multiple chapters across Canada. The members are often seen wearing standard-issue black shirts with a white Viking logo on the back.
The Sons of Odin say they are not related to the Soldiers of Odin, a Finnish-born organization with a stated aim to "take back our streets." They also deny any association with the motorcycle gang, the car club, and Sons of Odin IC. The group's detractors, however, are skeptical and claim that such groups are a step towards fascism.
The Sons of Odin's late-night patrols, according to Bingham, are meant to distribute "water and granola bars" to the homeless and ensure their well-being. Some critics, like Peter Clarke of Hamilton Against Fascism, disagree with this statement, saying, "They do not intend to start and end with picking up trash." Matthew Green, a Ward 3 councillor, also expressed concern, calling the patrols "reminiscent of the Brownshirts in Nazi Germany."
The Sons of Odin have faced opposition from groups like Hamilton Against Fascism due to their presence at a city hall rally protesting the notion of Sharia law in Canada. Bingham clarified that their concern is not about the presence of Muslims in the country but specifically about Sharia law. He stated, "We don't care if Muslims are here... We're not saying stop immigration."
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Critics say such groups are a step towards fascism
The Sons of Odin is a Viking-inspired group that was formed in Norway and has a presence in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and several European countries. The group's stated goals include fighting the spread of Sharia law and conducting vigilante patrols to protect citizens from the "alleged depredations of refugees". While the group denies being racist or promoting neo-Nazism, critics argue that it is a racist, corrosive presence that is reminiscent of the Brownshirts in Nazi Germany and a step toward fascism.
Matthew Green, a Ward 3 councillor, has expressed concern about the group's patrols, stating that they are "reminiscent of the Brownshirts in Nazi Germany" and that "this is what the beginning of fascism looks like." Peter Clarke, an organizer of Hamilton Against Fascism, shares similar concerns, stating that the group's agenda is xenophobic and that they are not just picking up trash but also spreading their ideas.
The Soldiers of Odin (SOO) is a similar group founded in Finland with affiliates in several countries, including Canada and the United States. SOO has been described as an anti-immigrant group with connections to far-right and neo-Nazi organizations. The group's founder, Mika Ranta, has ties to the neo-Nazi Nordic Resistance Movement and a criminal conviction for a racially motivated assault. While SOO denies being racist or promoting neo-Nazism, reports suggest that racism and Nazi sympathies are prevalent among its higher-ranking members.
The presence of such groups has sparked concerns among critics and anti-fascist organizations, who view them as a potential threat to social cohesion and a step toward fascism. While the Sons of Odin and Soldiers of Odin claim to be unrelated, both groups share similarities in their rhetoric and activities, and their critics argue that they contribute to a climate of fear and xenophobia.
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Frequently asked questions
Sons of Odin is a group that was formed in Norway and has chapters in multiple cities across Canada. The group's leader, Russ Bingham, describes it as a community-minded service organization. However, the group has been accused of having a xenophobic agenda and promoting far-right ideologies.
The Sons of Odin have conducted park clean-ups and late-night patrols in cities like Hamilton. They have also offered free snow shoveling services and distributed supplies to the homeless.
The Sons of Odin have stated their opposition to the implementation of Sharia law in Canada. They have also been associated with other far-right and anti-immigration groups, such as Soldiers of Odin and Hamilton Against Fascism.
