Three teens are facing charges after posting offensive flyers with anti-Black messaging and offensive illustrations outside an Ajax school.
Staff at Eagle Ridge Public School were alerted to the flyers on May 11 after students found one of them pinned to a portable on the school’s property.
Durham police, working alongside school resource officers, began an investigation which included reviewing surveillance video and speaking with witnesses.
A photo of the flyer found by the students showed offensive imagery and an anti-Black slur. The phone number provided for people to call or text “for more information” belonged to two young females who were unaware their numbers were listed.
While initially investigated under public incitement of hatred, Durham police concluded that after reviewing video surveillance, listening to statements and speaking with those involved that the intended purpose was to cause harm to the female victims.
A 15-year-old, a 17-year-old, and an 18-year-old – all from Ajax – have been charged with five counts of harass by means of repeated telecommunications. The name of the 18-year-old has not been released in order to protect the identity of the victim. The two others charged in this incident cannot be named under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Police say the 17-year-old had prior contact with both female victims and that the flyers were created with their phone numbers printed on them as an act of revenge in hopes that they would receive a negative response from the community.
“This investigation is continuing and as part of that investigation the crown attorney’s office will be consulted regarding the aggravating factors of this case,” said Durham police in a statement.
“Durham Regional Police recognizes that the victims are not the only people that these flyers have caused harm to. We recognize how this has impacted our community and we offer our support and diligence to ensure those responsible are held accountable.”
Kinzi Ahmed, chair of the school’s parent council, says an emergency meeting was held last week to condemn the posters and discuss next steps. She says executives on the council suggested a number of ways to address anti-Black racism in the community moving forward, including sensitivity training and more parent volunteers.
With files from Michael Ranger.
Three facing charges after racist posters found outside Ajax school (citynews.ca)
Staff at Eagle Ridge Public School were alerted to the flyers on May 11 after students found one of them pinned to a portable on the school’s property.
Durham police, working alongside school resource officers, began an investigation which included reviewing surveillance video and speaking with witnesses.
A photo of the flyer found by the students showed offensive imagery and an anti-Black slur. The phone number provided for people to call or text “for more information” belonged to two young females who were unaware their numbers were listed.
While initially investigated under public incitement of hatred, Durham police concluded that after reviewing video surveillance, listening to statements and speaking with those involved that the intended purpose was to cause harm to the female victims.
A 15-year-old, a 17-year-old, and an 18-year-old – all from Ajax – have been charged with five counts of harass by means of repeated telecommunications. The name of the 18-year-old has not been released in order to protect the identity of the victim. The two others charged in this incident cannot be named under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Police say the 17-year-old had prior contact with both female victims and that the flyers were created with their phone numbers printed on them as an act of revenge in hopes that they would receive a negative response from the community.
“This investigation is continuing and as part of that investigation the crown attorney’s office will be consulted regarding the aggravating factors of this case,” said Durham police in a statement.
“Durham Regional Police recognizes that the victims are not the only people that these flyers have caused harm to. We recognize how this has impacted our community and we offer our support and diligence to ensure those responsible are held accountable.”
Kinzi Ahmed, chair of the school’s parent council, says an emergency meeting was held last week to condemn the posters and discuss next steps. She says executives on the council suggested a number of ways to address anti-Black racism in the community moving forward, including sensitivity training and more parent volunteers.
With files from Michael Ranger.
Three facing charges after racist posters found outside Ajax school (citynews.ca)
