Poster for B.C. ‘whites only’ parent-child group sparks outrage

globalnews.ca:

RCMP in Coquitlam, B.C., confirm they are investigating reports of racist signs being posted in the community.Police said they received reports on Sunday, Sept. 24, that “suspicious signs” had been seen in both Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam.“The file is under investigation to determine if there is any criminality involved,” police said in a statement.Images shared on social media show the signs, which read, “Join us for Whites-only Moms & Tots.”“Are you looking for somewhere your children can play with others that look like them?” the sign stated.“Are they tired of being a minority in their schools or daycares? Escape forced ‘diversity’ and join other proud parents of European children as we create an atmosphere in which our kids can feel like they belong.”Parker Johnson, a board member for Hogan’s Alley Trust and a member of the African Descent Advisory Committee to the Vancouver Police Department, told Global News that he is concerned about the rising tide of hate that these posters could bring, in particular to racialized and Indigenous people.“So while they may seem benign to some — you know, people are just ‘organizing’ — there’s false equivalency between white nationalist organizing and say other, you know, say a Muslim community or a Japanese Canadian community or what have you — gathering to have a conversation, that sort of thing,” he said.Johnson said, in his mind, whether these posters are real or a prank, it doesn’t really matter.“It’s a warning to communities of colour and it also is a way of trying to foment fear and division amongst communities as well,” he said.“Raise the fear and anxiety of white people, but also increase the fear and anxiety of people who are not white.