Racist Graffiti in Shelburne, NS

And yet another sad reminder that racial intimidation isn't isolated:

Racist graffiti, messages part of police probe in Shelburne
Public meeting held to discuss string of incidents
By BRIAN MEDEL Yarmouth Bureau
Wed, Jun 22 - 9:42 PM

SHELBURNE — Shelburne RCMP say they're focusing on two suspects who have allegedly been spouting white supremacist or neo-Nazi doctrines.

The complicated police probe involves alleged Facebook messages and notices of Klan type meetings, said Cpl. Mike O'Callaghan.

“We are dealing with young people,” he said Wednesday evening during a public meeting called to deal with a recent surge in racist incidents.

A Confederate flag was said to have been displayed and Nazi salutes performed by some in the presence of black students.

Graffiti was discovered inside and out at Shelburne Regional High School in February. It was removed said local Black community member Tom Jacklyn, after he and others brought it to the attention of school staff. But it returned shortly thereafter.

“There were swastikas everywhere. KKK was written throughout the school,” he said.

And the words White Power were written in large letters at a basketball court in Jordan Bay.

A noose was also discovered hanging in a gazebo at the same sports field in Jordan Bay, Jacklyn said.

“We will hold people accountable,” said O'Callaghan.

“The black communities across Nova Scotia are watching this very carefully to see how it is handled,” said Darlene Lawrence, a Digby woman who facilitated the meeting.

“When is this going to stop?” she asked.

At least seven RCMP officers attended the Shelburne meeting, including Supt. Craig Gibson, the force's commanding officer west of Halifax.

Shelburne Mayor Al Delaney, municipal warden Sherm Embree and a handful of town and municipal councillors were there, too.

Meeting participants were urged to continue to explore options, including ways to make Shelburne more inclusive.

“Let's see if we can all get together and solve this problem,” Jacklyn said.

(bmedel@herald.ca)

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