Signs of support targeted by vandals in Barrie
When Nicole Kirker woke up Tuesday morning at her Barrie home, she found her 'Every Child Matters' flag on her lawn cut in half and her 'Hate Has No Home Here' sign in pieces.
"At first, I was angry, but then I got more sad and sad because I'm wondering how is this person feeling to be that full of hate," Kirker says.
Kirker says when she checked her surveillance camera, the video showed someone walking away from the scene holding what appears to be a piece of the sign.
A sign of support, now a target of vandalism.
"I retired from law enforcement in April of this year, and ever since the George Floyd incident, I vowed that I would start to listen, challenge my beliefs and try to be a better ally," Kirker says. "The feelings I felt the day after being vandalized is only a minuscule of what the BIPOC community face each and every day."
Kirker says the flag was only up for one week, which she purchased in recognition of Orange Shirt Day.
"One of the most important things for me is Sept. 30, which is Orange Shirt Day," Kirker says. "I wanted to have (the flag) up for the month of September to engage people in conversation, maybe educate people who don't know that day exists."
Now Kirker says she's concerned that whoever vandalized her property is either going to get hurt or escalate their actions.
Other videos have also surfaced on social media, one showing another sign being stolen from someone's lawn.
"It's unfortunate," says Nikki Glahn, founder of Barrie Families Unite. "Every couple of nights, we hear of one or two here or there in the East end, in particular. There seems to be a problem with it," Glahn adds.
Barrie Families Unite is the organization behind the campaign, 'Hate Has No Home Here,' and says acts of vandalism have increased in the past two weeks.
It was brought to Barrie after the finding of mass graves on the grounds of former residential schools and after a tragedy in June, where four Muslim family members were killed in what police allege was a hate crime.
"It's really about inclusivity and making a stance, and that is really what our not-for-profit agency is about- making sure everyone feels included, and they don't have to live in our community with these types of judgements," Glahn said.
Glahn says she does not believe the signs are being targeted for any particular reason.
"The only thing we can do to combat it is to keep showing up and keep the message out there," Glahn says.
Which is precisely what Kirker is doing. She has already replaced the sign on her front lawn and placed an order for a new flag.
"I think it's important to show whoever this person is that we won't be deterred," Kirker says.
Kirker did report the incident to police, who told CTV News in a statement, "Unnecessary and malicious damage to anyone's property is unacceptable behaviour. If this happens and is reported to police and the perpetrator is identified, they can be charged and held criminally responsible for their actions."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.