It’s another shocking and disturbing example of hate, bigotry and racism in our community.
The Pride flag at Ladner United Church was vandalized yet again last week. The action quickly condemned on social media, with church officials vowing to not be intimidated by hate and seeking to quickly replace the flag.
That replacement took place this week on Tuesday when Delta Police officers Lee Chapman and Joel Thirsk were on hand to hang the new flag in the church archway.
In the past few years, incidents such as this Pride flag being vandalized on multiple occasions, as well as other racially-motivated incidents, has sparked much discussion and debate on community social media pages and in the pages of this newspaper.
An anti-racism rally and march through the streets of Ladner last summer highlighted the need for continued dialogue and conversation.
Out of that rally came the formation of the Mayor’s Task Force on Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism, the continued work of Delta’s Organizing Against Racism and Hate Committee, the creation of THIS (The Harmony Initiative Society) and the continued work and support of the Delta Pride Society.
I whole-heartedly agree with the Delta Pride Society’s message on their Facebook page last week which read in part: “You are loved. As a community, it is essential that together we stand in solidarity and speak out against any form of discrimination and hate.”
I applaud the work done thus far by civic leaders and community volunteers. It is valued and supported, but clearly more work needs to be done.
I urge the City of Delta and all their community partners to work on setting up a town hall meeting or a series of meetings where the whole community can take part in important dialogue.
There is no place for hate anywhere – and that includes our community. We all must stand up, and speak out against this behavior.
