Pride movement victimized by acts of vandalism

Lee Griffi, Editor

Provincial Police in Oxford are investigating mischief and theft at a business in Norwich Township. That business is Gunn’s Hill Cheese but it wasn’t any of the products they produce, it was their business sign.

Schools and homes in the Norwich area have been vandalized and stolen in recent weeks, something which prompted owners Colleen Bator and Shep Ysselstein to take to social media with a joint statement on June 9.

“As small business owners in Norwich Township, we want to call out the hate crimes that have happened in our community in the last 72 hours. The Pride flag at our son's school was stolen yesterday from East Oxford Central Public School. The Pride flag from Colleen's school, where she teaches, Delhi District Secondary School, was stolen the day before. Our other local elementary school, Emily Stowe Public School, had their flag burned, then another stolen and then their pole cut down. Not to mention the endless flags that have been stolen from private property throughout our community.”

Between June 12, and June 13, a mailbox and company sign were damaged and stolen at the business on Gunns Hills Road. Investigators are asking neighbouring businesses and residents to review any video surveillance from that night. The United Church in Norwich, Emily Stowe Public School, along with many private residences in Norwich, have also been targeted.

The couple released a second social media post following their own property damage.

“We were targeted last night for standing up in our community for basic human rights. Our business sign was sawed off and stolen and our mailbox/post was taken,” it read.

In an interview with the Echo, Bator pleaded for change and leadership.

“The (first) three instances of hate had just happened and I didn’t hear anything from any politicians, I didn’t see the media talking about it, I didn’t see Ed Sanchuk, the Sargeant in all the OPP videos. There was no action.”

She did thank Oxford Warden and Zorra Mayor Marcus Ryan for his leadership and inspirational voice in this community.

“We hope other politicians can seek guidance from him, to know how to navigate pain into action, for Norwich Township and Oxford County.”

Bator is also a teacher at the high school in Delhi where she runs its gay/straight alliance. That school also had its Pride flag stolen.

As a result of the many instances of vandalism, the Family Pride Party at Gunn’s Hill Cheese on Saturday will have paid-duty officers in attendance. There will also be petitions available for all levels of government, Prime Minister Carney, and pre-populated letters for signatures which are ready to send to elected officials.

“We call on the OPP, our MP Arpan Khanna our MPP Ernie Hardeman, and Norwich Township Council to call out these hate crimes. We strongly invite them to be an active part of the wave of change this community needs,” she added.

Khanna did provide the Echo with a statement on the recent acts of vandalism.

“Any acts of vandalism or property damage are unacceptable. The OPP is investigating this incident, and I encourage anyone with information to contact the police and assist with their investigation.”

Bator explained her cause does seem to be gaining traction with the media taking note, something that appears to be putting pressure on elected officials.

“I did a nine-minute interview on CBC radio in London. I called out people in the interview and all of a sudden those who sent emails to our MP and MPP are getting responses. I’m not saying it’s exactly me, but I do think I put a fire under some people’s butts.”

She added Khanna and Hardeman have not come out and called the vandalism hate crimes, but she is encouraged they are now saying something.

“In the past, they haven’t said anything to my knowledge.”

Following a rash of Pride flag vandalism four years ago both in Delhi and Norwich, Bator decided to make her support for the movement much more enduring by painting a Pride walkway in front if the business.

“I said to my husband, let’s do something permanent and hopefully it won’t be destroyed because its on private property. We do have real fears of that so we installed security cameras, but it’s been there for four years and we get endless comments from people saying thank you.”

On a positive note, Bator said she is beginning to see more people speaking out against the damage to Pride materials but much more needs to be done.

“Maybe society as a whole has become burnt out and they’re not standing up the way they used to. These hate crimes aren’t being dealt with the way I felt they were when they first happened here about five years ago. We had police multiple police cars here. There were child and youth workers to support students. Now I feel like it’s just the norm and that’s just not right.”