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The editor and publisher of Your Ward News, an “Aboriginal Owned and Operated Since 2007”, publication have found themselves facing hate-related charges.
James Nicholas Sears, 54, and Lawrence (Leroy) St. Germaine, 76, of the Toronto-based publication are charged with two counts of wilful promotion of hatred against an identifiable group—namely Jews and women.
In a video on the website, editor Sears (“a good Greek boy”) says he’s been an online troll for the past 20 years, beginning as Dimitri the Greek Stud as a food reviewer, including writing on the potential to “get laid at the restaurant”. He said it was meant to troll feminists. He then decided to become Dimitri the Lover, self-described as a performance artist, teaching men seduction methods and to “and treat women like sluts.”
Numerous complaints against the publication have been received between March 2015 and June 27, say investigators. They allege the publication promotes hatred. Canada Post was ordered to stop delivering the pub, with former minister of public services and procurement finding it “highy offensive and well outside the norm of Canadian values.”
“There is no place in our city for the mass promotion of hatred against women and minorities,” read a statement from Berl Nadler, chair of the Cenre for Israel and Jewish Affairs.
Past issues have included images portraying Jews as dogs and glorifying Hitler, as well as liberal use of the n-word and other slurs, reports CBC news.
“For years, ‘Your Ward News’ has attempted to promote hatred and poison the minds of impressionable readers against visible minorities,” said spokesman Daniel Koren said in a statement from B’nai Brith Canada, who welcomed the charges. “We hope this will act as a deterrent for those who are looking to promote racism, discrimination and hatred.”
The two will appear in court on Dec. 20.