City officials declare that anarchy symbol is a hate crime and orders removal of logo from activist headquarters.

Ontario, Canada – Last week, officials with the City of Hamilton legally ordered a local anarchist group to remove the anarchy symbol from the front of their headquarters, under the pretense of fighting against hate speech.

According to CBC News, city officials called the symbol "hate material similar to the swastika," citing property damage caused by an extreme group of black-bloc anarchists during recent protests.

"The anarchist symbol is considered hate material by the City of Hamilton and Hamilton Police Services and as such, must be removed," City spokesperson Marie Fitzpatrick told CBC News.

Ironically enough, the anarchist headquarters that is being asked to remove the symbol from their storefront was itself a victim of vandalism, and the symbol in question is painted onto a piece of plywood that is covering the shop's broken window.