A recent visual investigation by CBC has unveiled that members of the largest white nationalist group in Canada engaged in training activities with American counterparts across the border. The group, known as Second Sons Canada, was seen in Telegram posts collaborating with an American neo-Nazi figure named Robert Rundo, who spearheaded the “active club” movement.
The interaction between Canadian and American white supremacist groups signifies a significant level of coordination, as highlighted by Steven Rai, a senior research manager at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue. Second Sons Canada members were documented training and meeting with active club groups in Texas and South Carolina in late March. This cross-border exchange underscores the transnational nature of the white supremacist movement.
While various U.S. active clubs have previously connected with the openly neo-Nazi Nationalist-13 group in Hamilton, Second Sons Canada’s recent interactions mark their first documented travel to the U.S. since the group’s establishment in 2024. The training sessions and meetings depicted in the Telegram posts shed light on the shared activities and ideologies of these extremist groups.
Robert Rundo, a key figure in the active club movement, was personally met by Second Sons members in Texas, despite his controversial background involving inciting riots and violent offenses. Rundo’s influence within the movement, characterized by a focus on fitness and fighting to attract young men to the far right, was evident in the interactions captured in the Telegram posts.
The CBC investigation also connected Rundo to the Lone Star Active Club, where he was seen in a photo alongside Second Sons Canada members at a Patriot Front clubhouse in Fort Worth. The geolocation of the clubhouse revealed its ownership by a known figure in Patriot Front, further solidifying the ties between these extremist groups.
Moreover, the joint activities extended to an event named American Muscle 2 in South Carolina, organized by Patriot Front. The event, which featured combat sports tournaments and participation from various active club groups, exemplifies the collaborative efforts of white nationalist organizations to strengthen their networks and advance their shared agenda.
As these extremist groups continue to forge connections and engage in coordinated activities, experts warn of the potential for increased radicalization and political violence. The overarching goal of these groups, as highlighted by Rai, is to undermine democratic values and promote a strict fascist interpretation of society, emphasizing the need for vigilance and counteraction against such extremist ideologies.