City to report racist graffiti
Policy change comes after Nazi symbols spotted on walls of Old Airport Road underpass
Graffiti showing a swastika with the words "white power" was spray painted on the walls of the Old Airport Road pedestrian underpass near Frame Lake. It is not known when the graffiti went up but 2017 was marked beside it. - John McFadden/NNSL photo |
John McFadden
Northern News Services
Friday, August 25, 2017
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The City of Yellowknife will now contact RCMP when notified of racist or homophobic symbols, slurs or graffiti displayed in the city.
This comes after Yellowknifer discovered on Monday what appears to be fresh swastikas and the words "white power" spray painted on the walls of the Old Airport Road pedestrian underpass.
According to city spokesperson Stephanie Vandeputte, officials have reached out to the Mounties to talk about recent racist and homophobic vandalism.
Homophobic stickers appeared at Somba K'e Civic Plaza prior to Pride weekend and two swastikas are carved into the sidewalk on 54 Street near 51A Avenue, near the tobogganing hill.
Vandeputte said the stickers were spray-painted over by city workers within one hour of them being discovered and one of the two swastikas on the sidewalk was covered by workers last Friday. She added that the other graffiti will be removed as well.
"Hate crimes are thankfully something that our community is not used to," she stated in an email. "But … based on this discussion, moving forward, the city will report any vandalism that has any connotation of hatred to any distinct group."
Frame Lake MLA Kevin O'Reilly said he was disappointed to hear about the graffiti but added he does not think it is reflective of the community.
"Certainly it's unacceptable in Yellowknife for these sorts of symbols to be put in public places," he said.
"It's not a reflection of what Northerners think or believe. It is inappropriate for our community."
O'Reilly said in his many years in Yellowknife he has never heard of any sort of organized hate group in the community. He said he hopes this graffiti is not symptomatic of a larger problem.
Northern News Services editor and father of five Daron Letts was the first person to report the swastikas on 54 Street to the city. He said he saw them a week ago Monday while out walking with his four-year-old.
"My child asked my why that was there," he said. "We have to be vigilant. I think we all know Yellowknife is a diverse place. Symbols of hate do not represent who we are and what we want to be."
Letts said the city should encourage young artists to go out and creatively paint over racist graffiti, adding the approach could be similar to the way some power transformers and sidewalks have been decorated with art in recent years.
RCMP Cst. Harrison Teed said Mounties have began an investigation but added short of catching the culprits in the act, it is a tough crime to solve.
"(The graffiti) in the underpass looks fairly new," he said. "Officers are investigating all three incidents and would like to hear from anyone who has information on who might be responsible."
RCMP Insp. Matt Peggs confirmed yesterday the graffiti is being investigated as a hate crime.
Anti-racism group Stand Up To Racism Yellowknife will be holding a candelight vigil for victims of hate crimes Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. in Somba K'e Civic Plaza.
