University of Calgary investigating video of students praising Hitler

A group of students at the University of Calgary marched and imitated soldiers from Nazi Germany, and even praised Hitler, in a video shared to Instagram.

The recording, obtained by CityNews, shows a group of students in an elevator who proceed to walk through halls and down a staircase, chanting “Heil Hitler,” laughing, and saluting the dictator.

One of the students is shown with a moustache reminiscent of the German leader.

Now, university officials are investigating the incident, which appears to have taken place in the Kananaskis Hall residence building.

“The University of Calgary strongly condemns the actions depicted in this video,” the statement reads.

“There is nothing funny about Adolf Hitler or the atrocities committed by the Nazis – atrocities which include the Holocaust.”

The school’s Student Conduct Office is now investigating after the incident was reported to them the morning after the video was taken. An investigation began “immediately,” it said.

“We are committed to a campus community in which all who work, study and live on campus can flourish in an environment free of hatred, harassment, bullying and discrimination,” the university said.

Following the incident, UCalgary says it’s reaching out to those who may been affected by this video, adding student and staff wellness counselling services are available to anyone affected.

The Calgary Jewish Federation, CIJA, and other community groups have been reached by the university.

On Oct. 6, 1939, Hitler, who was the German Chancellor at the time, gave a speech to the Reichstag. He spoke of his plans to reorder the ethnic layout of Europe — a plan that would entail settling the “Jewish problem.”

An estimated six million Jews were killed under the Nazi regime during the Holocaust, including over a million children.

The Second World War ended in Europe when Germany surrendered on May 7, 1945.