Calgary — An alarming incident unfolded at CF Chinook Centre in Calgary recently, when a man was captured on video making a Nazi salute in the mall’s public area. The footage has since circulated widely on social media, prompting concern and calls for action from community groups.
Eyewitnesses say the man stood in a busy corridor of the shopping centre, raised his arm in the unmistakable gesture associated with the Nazi regime, and then walked off when confronted by bystanders. One Facebook post stated: “Fascists and Nazis have no place in Canada. It’s disgusting that this even happened…” facebook.com
At this time, no public statement from mall management or local police has been made regarding an investigation or whether the individual has been identified.
Community Reaction
The video has sparked outrage among many Calgarians, particularly members of communities targeted historically by Nazi ideology. The gesture is widely recognized not just as deeply offensive, but as a symbol of hate and bigotry.
Online, one Reddit user posted:
“Man doing Nazi Salute at Calgary Mall.” Reddit
That short remark hides a deeper issue: the normalization of hateful symbolism in public spaces.
The Broader Context
Symbols like the Nazi salute are not merely provocative—they carry historical weight and act as a rallying tool for extremist ideologies. While Canada’s laws around hate speech and symbols are strong, public incidents such as this one highlight the gap between legal prohibition and public awareness or prevention.
In Alberta, similar incidents have drawn responses from law-enforcement and hate-crime units. For instance, north of Edmonton the RCMP worked with the Alberta Hate Crimes Coordinator after individuals performed Nazi salutes while holding racially motivated signs.
What Happens Now?
It remains unclear whether the CF Chinook Centre incident has been formally reported to police or if mall security has taken action. Given the seriousness of the gesture, community advocates are calling for:
a prompt investigation and identification of the individual;
public communication from the mall about the incident and planned next steps;
enhanced security and training for staff in recognizing and responding to hate-symbol incidents; and
engagement with community groups to reaffirm that such behaviour will not be tolerated.
Why It Matters
For many, shopping centres are everyday community spaces—places where families go to eat, browse, relax, and spend time together. When symbols of hate appear in those spaces, they undermine the sense of safety and welcome.
As one commenter put it: “It’s disgusting that this even happened and I do hope someone knows who he is…” facebook.com
Final Thoughts
This incident serves as a reminder: hate symbolism doesn’t belong in our public spaces. Whether by design or in ignorance, the use of the Nazi salute in a Canadian shopping centre should prompt a concerted response—from the mall, from law-enforcement, and from the broader community.
