RCMP notified after ‘whites-only’ posters go up in the Tri-Cities
Posted September 25, 2023 6:47 am.
Last Updated September 26, 2023 11:24 am.
People living all across the Lower Mainland are stunned after racist posters were put up in Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam.
The messaging targets parents of “European children” and offers “the gift of time spent amongst their own people — because they deserve it.”
It also asks if they’re “tired of being the minority in their schools and daycare?”
Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West is stunned this has happened.
“It’s just the sort of vile garbage that isn’t welcomed in our community or anywhere else.”
“It’s disturbing to see anything like this,” an outraged West told CityNews.
West, who has two young children, says this has really struck a chord with him.
“I can’t imagine someone trying to promote that hatefulness, that racism amongst children. It is completely unacceptable. Our city condemns it in the strongest terms and we’re very much focused on promoting a community where everyone feels a part of Port Coquitlam.”
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He adds he takes his kids out to local playgrounds and parks often and hasn’t run into this kind of hatred.
“You see kids from all walks of life. You see lots of new Canadians. We see the full diversity of our community on display and it’s a beautiful thing. The kids are smiling, they’re playing together… you can see them making friendships.
“To think there is a person or persons out there who hate that, hate the idea of young children of all different races and backgrounds being able to play together, I think is so disturbing. I think for the vast, vast, vast majority of our community, they just find that type of view completely deplorable.”
West says city staff were made aware over the weekend after images were posted to social media. He adds bylaw officers couldn’t find the posters, thinking someone else had already torn them down.
He says the RCMP has been notified but can’t comment on any potential investigation and he wants anyone to call police if they see something like this again.
“I hope that they’re taking that seriously. In Port Coquitlam, what we’re doing is working on building the bonds of our community and breaking down barriers and promoting all the diversity of our city.”
West says racism exists in every community but is shocked by the actions of whoever is behind the posters.
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“We have more work to do, like everyone does… [but] this is not something we can ignore. It’s going to require everyone, not only elected officials, but also grassroots community members to work together as well, so that’s what our focus will be.”
As a result of this, West says bylaw officers will be increasing patrols moving forward to make the posters do not appear again.
1/Regarding a racist sign in our city:
As soon as it was brought to our attention, Bylaw officers immediately searched the area & all bus stops, but no signs were present. Perhaps being removed by someone else.
This vile garbage isn’t welcome in our community, or anywhere else.
— Brad West (@BradWestPoCo) September 25, 2023
“To those who have seen that poster, we want you to know that Port Coquitlam is your community. We’re not going to let someone try and tear that away from people and tear at the fabric of our community. We have an incredibly welcoming and close-knit community.
“We’re going to make sure that everyone who lays their head down in the evening in our city truly feels a part of the fabric of Port Coquitlam.”
Many living in the area also expressed concern over the posters.
Ghazal Pollitt and her family live in the area. She tells CityNews the messaging in the posters don’t reflect Canadian values.
“It’s very disappointing to see something like that in our community. There’s no space for hate and racism in the community and this makes me immensely concerned for the future of my son … he is half Persian and half Caucasian,” she said. “Children don’t know the difference between skin colour, or race or anything like that. They are innocent. It’s our job as parents to implement kindness and inclusivity in our children and teach them to be kind.”
“It’s heartbreaking to see that these people — as parents — are teaching their children to not be very inclusive.”
Kerry Cavers from Moms Against Racism says groups like the one advertised send a troubling message.
“My initial reaction was disappointment and hurt, but also relieved in the sense that now it’s out there and we can start having these conversations about it as opposed to a lot of people [thinking] that these things don’t happen here,” she said.
The posters were spotted near Lougheed Highway and Pinetree Way in Coquitlam and along Shaughnessy Street in Port Coquitlam.
