‘Disgusting’: outrage mounts over Hitler meme used by coffee shop

WARNING: Some might find images used in this story disturbing.

CALGARY (660 NEWS) – A Calgary coffee shop is receiving backlash after posting a meme featuring Adolf Hitler.

“Disgusting”, “Absolutely terrible”, are just some of many comments on the Purple Perk’s Facebook page, after it posted the Hitler meme.

It was in retaliation to complaints about the coffee shop allegedly not complying with public health orders amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It was not intended in any way, shape, or form to pick out a segment of the population, not at all,” said owner Paul Overholt.

The public outcry is over this meme which says “To those turning in your neighbours and businesses, you did the Reich thing!”

The use of the meme is sparking concern from the public and international Jewish organization B’nai Brith.

“The more people use that Hitler standard, or that mocking image of Hitler, the more it makes the Nazi regime almost comical,” said Ran Ukashi with B’nai Brith.
“Over time, it loses the gravity of the crimes of the Nazi regime.”

Overholt owns the well-known coffee shop along 4th Street SW and said he’s received several complaints about social distancing at his business.

“They noticed that people were sitting on our benches out front in the middle of the afternoon.”

Those benches are now taped up, and Alberta Health Services said there are no active orders to close the business for non-compliance with social distancing. However, with complaints continuing to come in, Overholt says he’s being pushed to the brink.

“They’ve been phoning constantly, sending me emails, haranguing me, and out of anger a customer gave me that meme to send and I just forwarded it on. Just lighten up.”

“The real concern is there’s no law being broken, people are free to speak or use that image as they see fit but the concern we have on our end is that broadly speaking there’s a trend happening in Canada and around the world. The memory of the holocaust is being cheapened,” said Ukashi.

Many Calgarians have already said they won’t take their business to Purple Perk because of the nature of the post.

Overholt does see how it could offend.

“I can see how some people can, but I feel sorry for those people.”

Meanwhile, Ukashi hopes disputes like this one can be resolved peacefully.

“People are free to say what they want online but they should also govern themselves accordingly and think through their actions regardless of what they are.”