Samidoun, group behind ‘death to Canada’ chant, listed as terrorist entity

Canada has listed Samidoun, a pro-Palestinian group behind a rally where people chanted “death to Canada” and burned the Canadian flag in Vancouver earlier this month, as a terrorist entity.

Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc made the announcement on Tuesday and noted that the listing was made alongside the U.S. Treasury Department’s own decision to list the group as a specially designated global terrorist entity.

“Violent extremism, acts of terrorism or terrorist financing have no place in Canadian society or abroad,” LeBlanc said in a statement.

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“The listing of Samidoun as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code sends a strong message that Canada will not tolerate this type of activity, and will do everything in its power to counter the ongoing threat to Canada’s national security and all people in Canada.”

Samidoun has been previously listed as a terrorist entity by Germany and the Netherlands and, in a release, Public Safety Canada, said the group has “close links with and advances the interests of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).

That group is also listed as a terrorist entity by Canada, the U.S. and European Union.

Being a listed terrorist entity carries severe consequences. It is illegal to contribute to any activity of a listed group, and its property can be seized and forfeited.

— With a file from Global News’ Sean Boynton

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