An anti-refugee group has been patrolling the streets of Edmonton clad in black jackets emblazoned with a Viking's face and the Canadian flag.
Soldiers of Odin was founded in Finland in response to an increase in the number of refugees seeking asylum. The founder, Mika Ranta, is a white supremacist who has been convicted in the past with assault, according to Finnish broacaster YLE.
Members of the group blame "Islamist intruders" for increases in crime and carry signs with slogans like "Migrants not welcome," Reuters reported.
Members of Soldiers of Odin meet in Edmonton in August. (Photo: Brian Curry/Facebook)
Soldiers of Odin Canada claims that it is an "neighbourhood watch" organization with "no racist agenda."
A Vice reporter who infiltrated the Edmonton chapter's private Facebook group found a number of disturbing anti-Islamic comments. Some members appeared to praise the arson of a mosque, commenting on an article about it with "Good work" and "Hopefully it was full.
Edmonton police say so far they have received no complaints, and have no reason to believe the group is involved in any criminal activity, according to CBC.
The outlet reported that local chapters have sprung up in B.C. and Ontario this year.
Also on HuffPost
