More languages
More actions
Editor Sandbox
Diagolon
Diagolon is a white nationalist network operating in Canada that emerged in 2021. Founded by Jeremy MacKenzie, the movement has grown from a small collective of live streamers into one of the largest and most active far-right networks in Canada, with connections to international extremist organizations.
Origins and Structure
Pre-Pandemic Roots
Diagolon evolved from the "Plaid Army," a collective of livestreamers centered around Jeremy MacKenzie and Derek Harrison. The name "Diagolon" originated during a January 2021 livestream when MacKenzie imagined a fictional country starting in Alaska and running southeast through Canada and the United States, primarily incorporating regions without COVID-19 masking mandates
Organizational Model
Unlike traditional far-right organizations, Diagolon operates through a **post-organizational structure** with no formal membership or vetting process. The network functions similarly to a sports team and its fans—a community united by support for creators, shared messages, and social relationships. This decentralized model has allowed it to grow organically while maintaining ideological coherence.
- Symbolism and Iconography
- **Flag**: A white diagonal line on a black background (referred to as "Ol' Slashy") - **Salute**: A diagonal arm salute - **Merchandise**: Flags, clothing, and other items featuring Diagolon iconography serve as indicators of shared ideology
- Key Figures
- Jeremy MacKenzie
- Founder and chief proselytizer of Diagolon - Formerly streamed under "Raging Humanist," later "Raging Dissident" - Afghanistan combat veteran and founding member of the People's Party of Canada (PPC) - Known for promoting conspiracy theories, Islamophobia, and antisemitism - Gained attention in 2020 for staging a one-man protest of an Omar Khadr talk
- Derek Harrison
- Ontario resident and former gas fitter - Streams under "Derek Rants" - Active in early PPC organizing and Faith Goldy's 2018 Toronto mayoral campaign - Connected with MacKenzie through mutual livestream appearances - Known for overt hate speech and use of slang to reference marginalized groups
- Alex Vriend ("The Ferryman's Toll")
- Educated as an architect, originally from Metcalf, Ontario - Produces Diagolon memes and hosts an after-show on Telegram - Known for wearing a white ski mask in appearances - Organized a cross-country networking trip that strengthened community connections - Active in connecting Diagolon to international extremist networks
- Morgan Guptill
- Began activism opposing pandemic health restrictions - MacKenzie's romantic partner and organizer of in-person gatherings - Refers to herself as "Queen of Diagolon" on social media - Content includes disparaging remarks about Jewish and South Asian people
- Daniel Sleno
- Livestreamer connected to Diagolon and predecessor Plaid Army network - Claims content is comedy while routinely discussing "pro-white" politics and neo-Nazism
- Nigel McDougal ("Aryan Goggins")
- Neo-Nazi and fitness influencer within the community - Posts racist, antisemitic, and neo-Nazi content alongside workout videos - Tattoo includes "White Pride" on his leg
- Ideology and Rhetoric
Diagolon promotes a range of far-right conspiracy theories and extremist views:
- **Great Replacement Theory**: Claims of orchestrated erasure of white people - **Antisemitism**: References to Jewish cabals controlling global events, use of terms like "kosher parties" - **Islamophobia**: Opposition to Muslim immigration, framing as existential threat - **Anti-LGBTQ+ Rhetoric**: Accusations of widespread pedophilia by 2SLGBTQ+ people - **Accelerationism**: Calls to "accelerate" toward conflict and societal collapse - **Militant Nationalism**: Advocacy for "mass deportation" of non-European immigrants
MacKenzie has explicitly stated: "War is coming, act accordingly" and described the Government of Canada as "a terrorist organization promoting violence on peaceful protestors."
- Activities and Evolution
- Pandemic Era Growth
The network expanded significantly during COVID-19 lockdowns, organizing first in-person events including social meetups, barbecues, and trips to firearm ranges.
- Ottawa "Freedom Convoy" (2022)
Multiple Diagolon leaders participated in the convoy protests. MacKenzie advised followers to avoid displaying Diagolon flags or engaging in illegal activity. Alex Vriend was detained during police intervention but released without charges.
Following the convoy, regional meetups were largely abandoned after the arrest of four individuals in Coutts, Alberta, charged with plotting to kill police officers. A Diagolon patch was found among seized gear.
- Post-Convoy "Underground" Period
According to court testimony from York Regional Police investigations, Diagolon reorganized following negative attention: - Closed public Telegram channels - Moved behind paywalls - Attempted to formalize leadership structure with MacKenzie's inner circle - Encouraged followers to "find your friends" and form local chapters
- International Connections
Diagolon has established significant ties to international extremist networks:
- Nordic Resistance Movement (NRM)
- Alex Vriend appeared on NRM's "Nordic Frontier" podcast in December 2023 - NRM is a militant fascist organization designated as terrorist by the United States - Vriend discussed Canadian immigration and racial demographics
- Patriotic Alternative (UK)
- Jeremy MacKenzie appeared on founder Mark Collett's livestream in March and June 2024 - Discussed vaccine fatalities, "invasion of foreigners," and far-right activists deemed insufficiently committed
- Patriot Front (US)
- Thomas Rousseau, founder of Patriot Front, appeared on Vriend's stream in January 2023 - MacKenzie has referred to Patriot Front as Diagolon's "American counterpart"
- Goyim Defence League (GDL)
- Regular appearances together on X Spaces - Content shared on GTV (Goyim TV) - Diagolon leaders seen wearing GDL merchandise during 2024 tour
- Active Club Movement
- Connections to decentralized neo-Nazi workout clubs - Members linked to Atomwaffen Division and terror manual authorship
- The "Road Rage Terror Tour" (2024)
In July 2024, Diagolon leaders conducted a cross-country tour with events in: - Carp, Ontario (Ottawa area) - Hamilton, Ontario - Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan - Vancouver and Kamloops, British Columbia - Halifax, Nova Scotia
Tour characteristics: - Ticket prices: $60-$100 (VIP packages) - Security procedures including bag searches and metal detecting wands - Locations hidden until shortly before events - Chants promoting mass deportation ("they have to go back") - Leaders seen wearing merchandise from Vinland Hammerskins and GDL, including items with SS totenkopf symbols
Derek Harrison was recorded stating: "This all started as a joke... then we got noticed, right? The Prime Minister had said our name in the House of Commons multiple times. So, we realized that we can move the needle in politics in Canada."
- Second Sons Canada
In 2024-2025, Diagolon leaders launched **Second Sons Canada (SSC)**, a more selective organization with formal membership requirements:
- **Structure**: Fraternal organization with chapters in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island - **Aesthetics**: Black jackets with tri-maple leaf symbol, white neck gaiters (modeled on Patriot Front) - **Requirements**: Physical fitness standards, background checks, participation in group activities - **Focus**: Martial arts and combat sports training - **Ideology**: Claims "birthright has been stolen" and members are "being pushed out of society, academics and the workforce and replaced by foreigners"
The group conducted a demonstration at the Halifax Cenotaph in March 2025, claiming it was for propaganda video production.
- Law Enforcement and Security Status
- Identified as **ideologically motivated violent extremists** by Canadian law enforcement and intelligence agencies - Discussed in national news and parliamentary testimony - Subject of investigations by Ontario Provincial Police and York Regional Police - Featured in Public Order Emergency Commission evidence regarding the Freedom Convoy
- Financing
- Primary revenue through Super Chats (YouTube and streaming platforms) - Ticket sales for events ($60-$100) - Merchandise sales - Cryptocurrency donations (MacKenzie maintains multiple crypto wallets) - E-mail money transfers following payment processor issues
- Assessment
According to the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, Diagolon represents a significant evolution in Canadian far-right extremism: a decentralized network that has successfully transitioned from online content creation to in-person organizing, with increasing formalization through Second Sons Canada. The combination of combat sports training, international networking with designated terrorist organizations, and explicit preparation for violence presents a dangerous trajectory for the movement.
---
- Source: "Diagolon: Canada's Homegrown White Nationalist Network" by Peter Smith, Canadian Anti-Hate Network, June 2025*