A Wave of Hate Graffiti in Châteauguay

After the Quartier des femmes at the beginning of the month, a number of businesses in Châteauguay became the target of hate graffiti on the night of March 12–13th. The Châteauguay police have reported some ten cases since February 21st.

Translation Amanda Bennett

Elyssa Cipriani, owner of Force Nutrition, was informed early in the morning by an employee that a swastika had been drawn on the door of a warehouse right next to her business on rue Kepler.

When she arrived, Ms. Cipriani noticed that several neighbouring businesses had also been targeted, including the Lal Kella Tandoori and Tahiti restaurants. The newspaper also saw graffiti on the window of the Idia Supermarket and on the low wall behind the A&W. “It’s really specific to businesses owned by minorities,” laments Ms. Cipriani, who is herself of Jewish origin. She does not believe that her community is particularly targeted, but that it is rather a “pro-white” symbol.

I’ve lived in Châteauguay for 13 years and this is the first time I’ve felt uncomfortable or unwelcome,” said Cipriani, who has been in business in the municipality with her husband for 9 years. We’re very proud to be here and to be involved. Everyone is welcome here.

The employee of another affected business said he was surprised to see such graffiti in Châteauguay. “Yes, this racist graffiti is weighty and truly horrible, but there have been no violent gestures against anyone or Molotov cocktails thrown into a shop window. What I hope is that this is an isolated act by someone a little thoughtless and that there is no escalation of violence,” commented Eric Britto.

Graffiti of this kind was also spotted in the playground of Saint-Willibrord primary school. A cleaning company was in the process of removing it when the newspaper visited on Wednesday morning. The school principal declined to comment, preferring to wait for approval from the school board. The New Frontiers school board confirmed to the paper that this is the second graffiti of its kind. The police have been notified.

Investigation Underway

The Châteauguay police force has been investigating some 10 cases of swastika graffiti in the municipality since February 21st. We don’t necessarily have any businesses targeted or any links to Jews or the conflict in Palestine,” said Erika Grondin, media relations officer with the Châteauguay police. For the moment, all the leads are still being assessed by our investigators.”

Châteauguay Mayor Eric Allard condemned these hateful acts. “Any form of vandalism is unacceptable. But when you attack people and use symbols that are so hateful, that’s totally unacceptable,” he said. It has no place in our society and it has no place in Châteauguay.”  The Mayor and police are urging shopkeepers and residents to report any acts of this kind that they witness.