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Racist graffiti quickly cleaned up in Port Coquitlam

Mayor slams 'vile hatred'

A racist slur written in yellow paint at a Port Coquitlam bike park is an example of why the city needs to tackle racism head-on, says the city’s mayor.

The comment denigrating a racial minority group was scrawled on a concrete curb at the Shaughnessy Street bike park.

It was spotted by a mother and her child and was immediately cleaned up, said Mayor Brad West.

“It was reported to me at 3 p.m. on Sunday actually, and within two minutes of being tagged in the comment on Facebook I called the city manger and she immediately had it sent to our parks crew to dispatch a crew to remove it,” West said.

“There is absolutely no place in this community for that type of vile hatred. It important that the city be responsible and get on it right away.”

West later Tweeted the Facebook post, including a photograph of the racist comment, and was criticized for posting it.

But West said it’s important to call out racism and deal with it.

“There was a vey strong response from residents condemning that type of hatred and understanding that when we see samples of hatred or racism in our community we don’t ignore it we face it head on.”

He said fighting back against racism is everyone’s responsibility and the bike park vandalism shows how important it is for the city to tackle the issue.

“When I say we all have responsibility to not only not be racist but to be anti-racist it means we have to lift each other and help each other and those of us who are parents to small children, as I am, we have a particular responsibility to raise our children to treat other people the way we like to be treated.”



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