Montreal MP condemns racist graffiti on campaign sign amid 'unprecedented' increase in slurs, death threats
Content warning: this story references harsh and offensive language.
MONTREAL -- Advocates are sounding the alarm over racist graffiti discovered on a campaign sign for a parliamentary candidate just outside Montreal.
An image of the sign, with the racial slur scrawled in graffiti across it, was first posted online by the Canadian Muslim Forum Wednesday. The Forum condemned the graffiti “with the strongest terms.”
The sign showed candidate Sameer Zuberi, running for the Liberals in Pierrefonds-Dollard, on the West Island.
Zuberi called it an “ugly reminder” of racism in Quebec and, nationally speaking, just the latest example of an increase in hate directed towards him and other candidates.
“This anonymous yet public display of racism is unacceptable, appalling and cowardly,” he wrote on social media.
An image of a campaign sign defaced with racist graffiti was posted and condemned online by the Canadian Muslim Foundation on Sept. 8, 2021 (Image source: Canadian Muslim Foundation, areas blurred by CTV News)
An image of a campaign sign defaced with racist graffiti was posted and condemned online by the Canadian Muslim Forum on Sept. 8, 2021 (Image source: Canadian Muslim Foundation, areas blurred by CTV News)
“However, acts of hate will not impede my campaign,” wrote Zuberi. “Instead, this serves as an ugly reminder of the work we must continue doing and reaffirms my commitment to tackling racism in all its forms.”
Zuberi told CTV in an interview that that particular sign is just off the intersection of Gouin W. and Des Sources boulevards, near a mosque and a high school -- a location "where Indians and Pakistanis congregate," he added.
"This was a targeted act," he said. "It was a sign of hate."
'UNPRECEDENTED' INCREASE IN SLURS, DEATH THREATS
But that the sign is just one of several defaced posters targeting him and other candidates, Zuberi added.
He says other slurs have been written on his signs, as well as death threats. Hateful acts like these are more common this year, he said, calling the increase "unprecedented."
He attributed the growing, troubling pattern in this election to wider societal factors: existing stigma exacerbated by pandemic stress.
"We are a society that is a multicultural society. It's a beautiful thing," he said. "But there are moments of friction, and this is manifesting itself on posters."
First elected in October 2019, Zuberi is the incumbent candidate for the riding.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW 'She was waiting for you': The story of how a B.C. man found his birth mother in England
After his adopted parents died, Dave Rogers set out to learn more about his birth mother. DNA results and a little help from friendly strangers would put him on a path to a small town in England.
Actor Bernard Hill, of 'Titanic' and 'Lord of the Rings,' has died at 79
Actor Bernard Hill, who delivered a rousing cry before leading his people into battle in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' and went down with the ship as the captain in 'Titanic,' has died.
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
A Holocaust survivor will mark that history differently after the horrors of Oct. 7
This year's Holocaust Remembrance Day, which begins on Sunday evening in Israel, carries a heavier weight than usual for many Jews around the world.
India's foreign minister reacts to murder charges, claims Canada welcomes criminals
India's Foreign Affairs Minister accused Canada of welcoming criminals from his country in response to the RCMP's recent arrests in a homicide that has roiled tensions between the two countries.
15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Oilers to play Game 1 vs. Canucks on Wednesday
The Edmonton Oilers will play Game 1 of their second-round series against the Canucks in Vancouver on Wednesday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at Battle of Atlantic ceremony; honours late Queen
Princess Anne saluted Canadian veterans and current forces members and honoured her late mother during separate ceremonies Sunday in Victoria as she wrapped up a three-day British Columbia West Coast royal visit.