York Regional Police No. 1 District criminal investigations bureau is investigating racist posters found at Newmarket High School in advance of the York public school board’s April 8 Say No to Hate event.
The seminar featured Elizabeth Moore, a former prominent spokesperson of the now-defunct white supremacist group, the Heritage Front, who now contributes to numerous anti-racist education and arts initiatives, and Canadian Anti-Hate Network executive director Evan Balgord, considered a leading expert in far-right extremist groups and how they recruit supporters.
Longtime human rights and hate-crime expert Bernie Farber noted in his opening address to the audience of senior school board leaders, teachers, parents and some high school students that school staff found posters plastered around the building from a white nationalist organization that morning.
“We’re clearly living in very complex and difficult times,” Farber said Monday night. “Even this morning, we were informed that this school was plastered with posters from a white nationalist organization telling people to be aware of the fact that we’re here tonight to talk to you about 'anti-European hatred'. But the sadness is that they came into this school. They’re here, my friends, they’re here.”
York Region District School Board spokesperson Licinio Miguelo said once the school was cleared for safety by York Regional Police, the posters were removed.
“We were disappointed to see that our school was subjected to these white nationalist posters,” Miguelo said today. “The posters were noticed by a staff member early in the morning and they immediately called York Regional Police.”
“Investigators are seeking a suspect who posted the signs,” Const. Laura Nicolle said today. “The investigation is also being reviewed by specially trained hate-crime investigators.”
Anyone with information is asked to call York Regional Police at 1-876-5423, ext. 7141.
If you have any concerns about hate-related crimes or other criminal activities in York Region, contact York police at 1-866-876-5423.
For more information on the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, visit https://www.antihate.ca/
