(https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/crime/2022/06/13/community-responds-to-act-of-hate.html)
Niagara police hate crime unit reviewing racist, homophobic vandalism at Harriet Tubman school
Anti-racism association calls for region-wide condemnation of hateful crime
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The Niagara Region Anti-Racism Association is calling for condemnation of white-supremacist and homophobic graffiti spray painted over a statue of Harriet Tubman, as well as on the St. Catharines elementary school named for the famed Underground Railroad conductor.
Anti-racism association executive member Saleh Waziruddin said the organization is pleased that a few elected officials publicly condemned the incident that occurred Saturday evening, but “we’re calling on all elected officials and anyone who has a voice to add to that condemnation.”
“We want the region to ring with condemnation of this,” Waziruddin said.
The association issued a statement Monday saying the people who perpetrated these attacks need to hear the outrage their actions have caused “so that it stays in the minds of anyone who is encouraged by this vandalism to escalate to more violence.”
“No one in Niagara can rest in comfort thinking that the escalation of white supremacist and anti-2SLGBTQQIA+ violence will escape us,” the statement said.
Rochelle Bush, a trustee and historian at Church Salem Chapel, visited the school Sunday to survey the damage, describing it as “absolutely very upsetting.”
“What really disturbs me is why they would do this to a bunch of elementary school kids who are predominantly white. Why terrorize them?” she said. “All those children now and all those who attended (the school) previously, all the parents, all the teachers, they all know now that there are white supremacists out there who despise them just because they attend or are employed by a school that is named after Harriet Tubman.”
The incident hit close to home for Bush, after a stone sculpture of the famed civil rights icon, which had stood on a pedestal in the courtyard of Salem Chapel British Methodist Episcopal Church since 2010, was toppled and broken on Oct. 14. Jessie Lohnes-Alanko, of no fixed address, was sentenced to five months behind bars in March after pleading guilty to multiple charges related to the vandalism at the church.
The vandalism at the church, however, was attributed to a mental health episode and was not considered a hate crime.
Niagara Regional Police spokesperson Stephanie Sabourin said the NRP’s equity, diversity and inclusion unit which investigates suspected hate crimes is aware of the incident and is reviewing it.
She said the police investigation is continuing and police are asking anyone in the area to review any video footage they may have, including dashcam footage and contact detectives if they have any further information.
Bush called for tough enforcement.
“It’s not a question of education because you can educate people all you want. It’s what is in their heart,” she said. “It’s just awful. There are just some hate-filled people out there and some who enjoy being troublemakers who want to upset everyone else’s world.”
In addition to the vandalism at the church, Waziruddin said a Harriet Tubman School located in the freedom-seeker’s home state of Maryland in the US, was also vandalized by white supremacists a year ago.
District School Board of Niagara education director Warren Hoshizaki issued a statement Monday, describing the attack on the school as “an act of hate.”
“The graffiti that covered the school contained grievous messages against the Black community, and the 2SLGBTQ+ community,” Hoshizaki said.
He said the school board acknowledges the disturbing incident may leave people feeling “traumatized, fearful, unsafe, and vulnerable,” including students, staff, and families, who have been deeply impacted.
“We will not tolerate any acts of racism, homophobia, transphobia, biphobia, or any other forms of discrimination or hate in our schools or communities, and we will speak out against these acts,” Hoshizaki said. “We extend our gratitude to those who gave their support to the Harriet Tubman school community. This includes the community members who contacted us, the Niagara Regional Police for their ongoing investigation and the DSBN staff who quickly arrived at the school to cover the graffiti and are continuing the work today.”
Regional Chair Jim Bradley issued a statement expressing his “unreserved repudiation of the vandalism that occurred over the weekend.”
“There is no excuse or justification for the defacement any public property, let alone a school and statue designed to honour one of history’s most recognized advocates for freedom,” he said.
“This inexcusable act of vandalism is in no way emblematic of the vast majority of residents of our region, and it is exceptionally disappointing to see this type of activity continue to occur more than 150 years after the end of slavery in the United States. It is disheartening to know that anyone would conduct themselves in such a destructive and vicious manner.”
Bradley said the “the cowardly individuals” who carried out the vandalism will not have any lasting impact on Tubman’s legacy.
“I can take some satisfaction in knowing that Harriet Tubman will continue to stand as icon of courage and freedom, serving as an inspiration to millions nearly 110 years after her death,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bush said a new bust of Harriet Tubman to replace the one that was damaged last fall is now complete and has arrived at the church, awaiting an unveiling ceremony tentatively planned for June 30. The new bust was created by artist Frank Rekrut, a former St. Catharines resident who now lives in Florence, Italy, who also created the statue of Tubman at the school that bears her name.
The Niagara Region Anti-Racism Association encouraged people to attend a Niagara Falls Anti-Racism Advisory Committee event at 6:30 p.m., June 27, at the Niagara Falls History Museum, featuring Barbara Perry — an Ontario Tech University professor who will speak about right-wing extremism in Canada and how local communities can faced down hate at home.
Supports for emotional well-being
A statement District School Board of Niagara education director Warren Hoshizaki included a list of resources for people struggling in the wake of vandalism at Harriet Tubman School in St. Catharines.
• Pathstone Mental Health Crisis and Support Line/Walk-In Clinics – (1-800-263-4944)
• COAST - (1-866-55-5205)
• Kids Help Phone – (1-800-668-6868)
• Canadian Mental Health Association Niagara - (905-641-5222) - ages 16+
• Youth Wellness Hub Niagara – (905-229-9946) – ages 12-25
• Harriet’s Youth Support Line – (1-877-695-2673) is a 24-hour emergency / crisis response line for African, Caribbean, and Black youth. Text messaging is available for young people who do not feel like speaking to someone, but are still in need of help.
• Black Youth Helpline – (416-285-9944/1-833-294-8650) serves all youth and specifically responds to the need for a Black youth specific service
• Contact Niagara – (905-684-3407) – intake for many public children’s mental health services
• Niagara Falls Community Health Centre – (905-356-4222) advocating and assisting with barriers and tough conversations and connecting individuals with community resources and access to health care
• Quest Community Health Centre – (905-688-2558) provides primary health care services to individuals who experience barriers to accessing health care, including sexually and gender diverse communities
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