The fear of a white supremacy rally in Lower Mainland drew hundreds of anti-racism supporters to New Westminister Sunday.
The collection of diverse groups -- from labour unions, communists, anti-racism advocates and social rights grous -- showed up in force for a rumoured rally by a neo-Nazi group.
They never showed up.
So instead of confrontation, demonstrators staged an upbeat rally to celebrate multiculturalism and unity.
"We won," declared Christof Leon, who set up a Facebook group to organize the rally. "It shows that there is more good in the world than bad. I'm blown away to see this, the energy is really positive and shows we won't tolerate hatred."
BC Civil Liberties Association executive director David Eby came to the event in a legal observer role but was glad to see the potential conflict between the two groups turn into a one-sided affair.
"We want to make sure that free speech, no matter how offensive and ignorant is expressed in Canada and then the anti-racist group would have their say as well," he said.
"It's very heartening," Eby said about the anti-racism turnout. "I think it's a good reminder that there is still racism out there and that we have to work towards eliminating it."
About a dozen Transit Police officers were at the entrance of Braid SkyTrain station on guard in case a conflict broke out.
The neo-Nazi rally, which had been rumoured for some time over the Internet, was supposed to begin at the station and work its way to downtown Vancouver.
