'Why would somebody do this?' Langford Pride crosswalk vandalized one day after completion
Tire burnouts and spray paint have been used to deface a symbol of acceptance and inclusion outside of Spencer Middle School in Langford.
“It makes me feel really disappointed,” said Harry Eves, a Grade 6 student at the school.
“Why would somebody do this?” said Liv Propp, a Grade 8 student.
Both Eves and Propp are part of the school’s Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Club, often referred to as SOGI.
The club was instrumental in the creation of a crosswalk bearing the design of the Pride Progress flag on the Goldstream Avenue, outside their school. Work began last year to make the project happen.
“They actually had written a letter to the City of Langford,” said Jen Nixon, Principal of Spencer Middle School.
Nixon says in December the school was told by the City of Langford that the crosswalk project had been approved.
On Tuesday, the first half of the crosswalk was painted.
Overnight, it was defaced with a tire burnout from someone's car.
On Wednesday, the second half was completed, and later that night another burnout appeared, followed by the spray paint.
“It just makes me sad,” said Propp.
“I have to be honest, it makes me angry and it makes me frustrated,” said Paul Block, superintendent of schools for the Sooke School District.
Block says he is incredibly proud of what those Spencer Middle School students had a hand in creating.
“Then to see others in our community take the time to desecrate that and destroy that, it is incredibly disappointing,” said Block.
Because the crosswalk is part of permanent city infrastructure, Langford city staff will be out in the coming days to removing the tire tracks and spray paint.
“We are committed to making sure that it stays functional and beautiful for our community,” said Kimberly Guiry, a councillor with the City of Langford.
West Shore RCMP says it is now investigating the vandalism, which could result in a charge of mischief.
“I feel like it makes the group stronger,” said Propp.
The students say they are not going to be dejected and that the senseless vandalism only shows the need for more inclusive projects, throughout the community.
“It lets everyone know that you’re welcome,” said Eves.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada Post strike: Union 'extremely disappointed' in latest offer, negotiator says
A negotiator for the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) says the latest offer from Canada Post to end the ongoing strike shows the carrier is moving in the "opposite direction."
Digging themselves out: With Santa Claus parade cancelled, Londoners make best of snowy situation
Londoners continue to dig themselves out from this week’s massive snowstorm.
Trump is welcomed by Macron to Paris with presidential pomp and joined by Zelenskyy for their talks
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Donald Trump to Paris with a full dose of presidential pomp for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral.
Groups launch legal challenge against Alberta's new gender-affirming treatment law
A pair of LGBTQ2S+ advocate organizations say they've followed through with their plan to challenge Alberta's three transgender bills in court, starting with one that bars doctors from providing gender-affirming treatment such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy for those under 16.
Canada's air force took video of object shot down over Yukon, updated image released
The Canadian military has released more details and an updated image of the unidentified object shot down over Canada's Yukon territory in February 2023.
U.S. announces nearly US$1 billion more in longer-term weapons support for Ukraine
The United States will provide nearly US$1 billion more in longer-term weapons support to Ukraine, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Saturday.
New plan made to refloat cargo ship stuck in St. Lawrence River for two weeks
Officials say they have come up with a new plan to refloat a large cargo ship that ran aground in the St. Lawrence River two weeks ago after previous efforts to move the vessel were unsuccessful.
Why finding the suspected CEO killer is harder than you might think
He killed a high-profile CEO on a sidewalk in America’s largest city, where thousands of surveillance cameras monitor millions of people every day.
Sask. doctor facing professional charges in circumcision case
A Saskatoon doctor has been accused of unprofessional conduct following a high-cost adult circumcision that included a request for the patient to text unsecured post-op pictures of his genitals.