Canada doesn’t need to add #ProudBoys to the Terrorist List.

In fact, the #TerroristList needs to be scrapped.

Here’s why:

1/The Terrorist List was created as part of post 9/11 build up that has particularly targeted Muslims. Today, over 2/3rds of the list is comprised of ‘Islamist’ organizations. Adding a few white supremacist groups won’t fix this.

2/Adding names to the list eventually leads to increased funding for #RCMP and #CSIS. These organizations focus on targeting Indigenous land defenders, and racialized people and are themselves made up of white supremacists. https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/sajjan-simon-wiesenthal-neo-nazi-canadian-forces-1.5711272

3/Being added to the list IS NOT A CRIMINAL OFFENCE. There can be financial consequences but that decision is made by policing agencies on a case by case basis. With the way policing is today, it is unlikely that there will be any real consequences for #ProudBoys.

4/It is notoriously difficult to determine organizational membership for groups like #ProudBoys. Does liking/sharing a tweet or a post about a 'violent' protest count as supporting the organization? Will the police then freeze their bank accounts? Unlikely.

5/While adding #ProudBoys to the list might send a symbolic message or speed up them being banned from social media outlets, the real consequences will be continued Islamophobia and expansion of national security complex that targets Muslims.

6/Already Canada uses 'peace bonds' where someone can have their liberties restricted not because they have done a crime but that they might. The majority of peace bonds are against Muslims. https://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/columnists/sahi-how-fear-of-peace-bonds-affects-canadian-muslims

7/Currently it's not possible for a group to appeal the decision. Once a group is listed, any of its 'supporters' can be targeted. This has meant immigrants and refugees even from mainstream political parties having their finances restricted or their status revoked.

8/TL;DR - this list or national security apparatus is not our friend.