Durham Police are seeking witnesses after swastikas were spray-painted onto playground equipment in Clarington.
On Saturday, March 1, at about 4:15 pm, officers from the East Division said they responded to a report of hate-motivated graffiti at Stuart Park, located at 58 Stuart Road in Courtice.
The vandalism included a swastika spray-painted on a slide and another beneath a panel, along with profane language. Police and municipal staff have since removed the graffiti.
These past few months have seen a rise of hate symbol vandalism, with swastikas having shown up in the washroom of a Whitby Library, and burned into a playing field in a Whitby park (see below).
Based on witness statements, the graffiti is believed to have been placed between 3 pm on Friday, February 28, and 4 pm on Saturday, March 1.
Police are urging anyone who was in the area during this time and may have seen any suspicious activity to come forward and contact investigators.
Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact Det. Micallef of the East Division Criminal Investigations Branch at 1-888-579-1520 at ext. 1615.
Deeply Disheartened
“I am deeply disheartened by the hateful graffiti found in our local park. Scribbling the Nazi swastika where our children play is a small-minded act that harkens to a dark period of systemic violence and hate. This incident does a great disservice to our entire community. It does not reflect the Clarington I believe in,” said Mayor Adrian Foster.
“As Mayor of Clarington, I know our community values inclusivity, equity and respect. To our Jewish community, I want to reaffirm that every resident of Clarington is valued and welcome in our municipality. Clarington remains committed to creating an inclusive and equitable community for everyone.”
Tenzin Shomar, Chair of Clarington’s Diversity Advisory Committee, said: “People of all backgrounds should feel safe and welcomed in Clarington. This act of antisemitism is deeply disturbing and should not be seen as representing our community. The Diversity Advisory Committee (DAC) strongly condemns any act of hate directed at our local Jewish residents and we urge anyone with information about this incident to contact DRPS. DAC will continue its important work with the goal of eliminating all forms of hate, racism and discrimination in Clarington.”
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