A Duncan martial arts gym is trying to reassure its community after its owner was identified in a CBC investigation as having attended a Vancouver event linked to a neo-Nazi group.
Foundry Combat Sports posted a public apology on Instagram, saying the owner made a serious mistake by going and did not understand what the event actually was.
The statement said he had been invited by someone in the martial arts community under the belief that it was a European history convention.
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“Attending the event was a serious mistake and we take full responsibility for it,” the post read. “We have no connection to any Nazi or white supremacist beliefs, ideologies or individuals associated with that event.”
CBC reported that the Vancouver gathering was put on by a group known as Exiles of the Golden Age. The outlet said it reviewed video obtained by the Canadian Anti Hate Network and verified the identities of people entering the venue using social media profiles and open-source information.
Foundry Combat Sports said it understands that the owner’s attendance has caused disappointment and harm within the community and that it regrets the impact this has had.
The apology was the only visible post on the gym’s Instagram page on Wednesday, and its website showed a message saying it had expired.
Earlier in the week, a separate post shared on Reddit and bearing the gym’s logo pushed back on suggestions of any link to extremism.
That message described the Vancouver event as a personal and peaceful gathering focused on pre Christian European cultural heritage.
CBC’s report said the event was connected to a white supremacist network and drew attendees from across Canada. The Exiles of the Golden Age group has been monitored by anti hate researchers for promoting extremist ideologies.
In its updated statement, the gym said it hopes its actions and reputation in the community will speak louder than this incident.
