Racist graffiti scrawled on Chinatown statues in Vancouver
Posted May 20, 2020 10:11 pm.
Last Updated May 21, 2020 7:03 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Chinatown is dealing with another case of racism.
The Millennium Gate’s two lions in Vancouver were recently found with racist graffiti scrawled on them.
Sarah Ling with the Chinese Canadian Historical Society of British Columbia says it’s just the latest in a string of similar attacks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is a reminder of how racism continues all across Canada, and we have a long legacy, particularly in Chinatown of racism and discrimination,” she says.
New racist graffiti at the foot of the Millennium Gate.#ChinatownYVR pic.twitter.com/OXxtjDZWp4
— Chinatown Today今日唐人街 (@chinatown_today) May 19, 2020
Ling adds the community will continue to be resilient.
“We have a long history of white supremacy that we continue to battle, and I think we should also celebrate the resiliency of our community.”
‘Hate has no place in B.C.’
The City of Vancouver is reminding people there is no room for any discrimination.
“We were appalled by the original act of racist vandalism and remind all residents that racism, xenophobia and hate speech have no place in Vancouver,” a tweet reads.
During a press conference Wednesday, B.C.’s Premier John Horgan addressed the rise of targeted racism, saying the increase is “unacceptable.”
“Hate has no place in British Columbia. We are a strong and vibrant economy and a strong and vibrant community because of the diversity. That is what makes up this great province,” he said.
“I just can’t stress enough how it’s just no longer acceptable.”
He said he has also been grateful for witnesses that are standing up to racism and is encouraging British Columbians to speak up more often.
“I know all members of the legislature, and all British Columbians are focused on making sure that love conquers hate, and that we can squish racism out of our community, once and for all,” Horgan added.
Statues being cleaned
The statues now sit covered in duct tape, which is holding solvent in place to get rid of the paint, and workers expect to be able to remove it by Thursday morning.
However, some have tweeted at the city, saying the duct tape now covering the graffiti is just as bad.
Not sure if this is part of the fixing/healing process, but seeing this duct tape cover-up the day after hurts us almost more than the original racist graffiti. The pain is real. #ChinatownYVR pic.twitter.com/GtzKbUfzuS
— Youth Co for Chinatown (@ycc_yvr) May 20, 2020
The response from the public online prompted the city to clarify the tape is just temporary.
We were appalled by the original act of racist vandalism and remind all residents that racism, xenophobia and hate speech have no place in Vancouver.
— City of Vancouver (@CityofVancouver) May 20, 2020
