Clarington mayor ‘deeply disturbed’ by racist graffiti in Newcastle park

Racist graffiti found at a pickleball court in Newcastle Sunday has the mayor and council in Clarington “deeply disturbed” and hopeful Durham Police can find those responsible for the “hateful act.”

Clarington Mayor Adrian Foster called the crime an “intolerant and malicious act,” which involved defacing public property with anti-Black racist graffiti.

“I want to state clearly that this hateful act does not represent our community’s beliefs and principles. Our community values inclusivity, equity and diversity. This is what makes Clarington a welcoming place for all our residents.”

Foster said the municipality dispatched an on-call crew to remove the graffiti as soon as councillors and staff were notified and thanked staff for “working so quickly” to get the job done and police for “taking this vandalism exceptionally seriously.”

“We stand together to condemn any form of discrimination and hate. Racism and ignorance like this are not acceptable in Clarington. We are committed to working with our residents towards a better future for us all.”

Residents found the graffiti at the Diane Hamre Recreational Complex on Rudell Road in Newcastle. Durham Police did not disclose the nature of the graffiti beyond describing it as “racist language” written on the court.

Police have asked anyone who saw anything suspicious at the complex to report it. Anyone with information can call police at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 1641 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

The discovery in Newcastle comes just two days after a swastika was found burned into a soccer field at Prince of Wales Park in Whitby, prompting widespread condemnation from MP Ryan Turnbull, Mayor Elizabeth Roy and council as well as B’nai Brith Canada, a Jewish advocacy group.