Beau Welling in front of his group at the Calgary rally. Photo by Mack Lamoureux.
"What we like to consider ourselves is Canada's last line of defence from all enemies, both foreign and domestic," Welling told VICE. "If the time would come and we would need to use force and take action, you know, we will do that."Insular groups like the III% are hard to nail down when it comes to sorting toxic online rhetoric from what has the potential to lead to real world actions. But experts told us it's important not to underestimate the risks associated with a group playing with the potentially lethal cocktail of xenophobia and firepower.When Dr. Barbara Perry, a leading researcher on far-right groups and hate crimes in Canada at the University of Ontario, was briefed on their activities she responded with a simple, "I'm scared of this.""If the time would come and we would need to use force and take action, you know, we will do that."
A man trains during a III% outing near Lethbridge. Photo via Facebook.
A Quick Build
The men take off their hats of 'Oh Canada' at the Calgary rally. Photo by Mack Lamoureux.
Openly Anti-Islam
The "unbreakable" line. Photo by Mack Lamoureux
"We are at war folks, we have been at war, and we are in the middle of the fight of our lives," Welling posted in full caps in the closed group. "It's on mother fuckers. It's time to do patriot shit. You wanna fuck around, you've seen nothing yet. We will win this war.""We are at war folks, we have been at war, and we are in the middle of the fight of our lives."
Welling and other high-ranking threepers speaking to police at the rally. Photo by Mack Lamoureux
The posts on the III%'s Google calendar that indicate smoke bomb preparation. Photo via screenshot.
Staking Out Mosques
A post Welling made in the closed group in regards to staking out mosques.
Just two of the many photos of apparent personal weapons posted on the group's secret Facebook page.
Unique in Canada's Far-Right Ecosphere
More photos of III% members weapons that were posted during the "loadouts" call.
One of the many posts in the closed group that indicates the group is training. Photo via screenshot.
Organized and 'Ready to Bang'
A group shot taken in early 2017 of the members of a single northern Alberta zone. Photo via Facebook.
Regardless of the double standard that may be at play, the III%ers are organizing and growing quickly. They have positions like province-wide president, vice president, a sergeant of arms, treasurer, and have broken down the province into ten zones which themselves have corresponding leaders. Within these zones the members chose a role of either "soldiers" and "preppers." But the III%'s focus does appear to be on being a paramilitary organization."We are willing to lay our lives down on the line and we're prepared to bleed for the country."
A group of III%ers during training. Photo via Facebook.
A popular meme from the page. Photo via Facebook.
Beau Welling discusses tactics at the Calgary rally. Photo by Mack Lamoureux.