A Vancouver concert promotion company has banned Nazi symbols and clothing at shows after an anti-Semitic symbol was thrown at a rock show this week.

The band Death Preacher was on stage at Pub 340 on Dec. 8 when the one of the concert's promoters, Nikki Gould, spotted a man who appeared to make a Nazi salute.

"He was younger," she told CTV News. "I was actually surprised to see someone that young doing that kind of thing."

Gould confronted the man and told him to leave, but he didn't listen. She then told the bartender to refuse to serve him, and the bartender told a bouncer. Shortly after, the bouncer had him leave.

"That has no place here," she said. "The metal scene is all about supporting one another and mutual respect. Nazis and things like that, they don't represent the metal scene."

 

The promoters, with Journeyman Productions, say this is the first time it's happened at one of their shows. But with the rise of white supremacist groups across the U.S. and Canada, they say it didn't come as a shock.

"Unfortunately I'm not too surprised just because of the way things are in North America lately," said Joey Hockin, owner of the company. "But I was really angry because I don't want people to think that that's the kind of thing that happens at my shows."

Journeyman Productions posted a clear message its Facebook page that Nazi symbolism or clothing will not be tolerated.

Michael Watson, a drummer who played at the show on Dec. 8, says he doesn't understand why the man would make that kind of salute.

"It's embarrassing that's still happening in 2017," he said.

The promoters say they have received a bit of backlash from people about free speech, but that the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive.

"I'm hoping that establishing the zero tolerance thing will make people think twice about what they bring when they come to events," Gould said.

Hockin says he's keeping a closer eye on those attending shows, and is asking music fans to speak up if they spot a hateful gesture.

"Inform staff," he said. "Because if you let it slide, it'll just continue to grow."

With a report from Breanna Karstens-Smith