Niagara Regional chair resigns over ownership of signed copy of Hitler's Mein Kampf | CBC News

"Niagara Regional Chair Bob Gale has abruptly resigned, just hours after anti-racism groups in Niagara demanded he apologize for owning a signed copy of Adolf Hitler's infamous manifesto, Mein Kampf. The Niagara Region Anti-Racism Association (NRARA) and Justice 4 Black Lives Niagara said in a joint statement on Wednesday that they condemned Gale for purchasing and owning the book signed by Hitler."

"Within hours, Gale wrote a formal letter of resignation to Ontario Municipal Affairs Minister Rob Flack, effective immediately. A spokesperson for Flack told CBC the minister has accepted Gale's resignation. Gale, who stirred up a hornet's nest of controversy in recent weeks over his proposals to dramatically reshape the landscape of Niagara's municipal government system, did not mention Mein Kampf by name in his letter."

"According to Niagara heritage consultant Jon Jouppien, who has appraised many of Gale's items for decades, including a Mein Kampf signed by Hitler, his collection is worth millions of dollars. It's not to be taken as an insult to any anti-racist group, Jouppien told CBC News. It was collected in the sincere interest of history."

Niagara Regional Chair Bob Gale abruptly resigned following pressure from anti-racism organizations. The Niagara Region Anti-Racism Association and Justice 4 Black Lives Niagara jointly condemned Gale for purchasing and owning a signed copy of Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf. They demanded a public explanation and apology. Within hours, Gale submitted a formal resignation letter to Ontario Municipal Affairs Minister Rob Flack, effective immediately. In his resignation letter, Gale described the book as a historical document found in many libraries without specifically confirming ownership of the Hitler-signed copy. According to heritage consultant Jon Jouppien, Gale's collection is worth millions and was acquired for historical interest purposes.

Read at www.cbc.ca