Signs promoting ‘whites-only’ playgroup in Tri-Cities condemned by Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam
The cities of Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam have condemned signage promoting a “whites only” moms and tots group, which appeared in the Tri-Cities over the weekend.
One sign was posted to the Port Coquitlam bus stop on the 2600 block of Shaughnessy Street, with a link to a Telegram chatroom.
On Monday, Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West said bylaw officers scoured the areas around other bus stops to remove other potential signs, but none were found.
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“This vile garbage isn’t welcome in our community, or anywhere else,” West said. “The City of Port Coquitlam condemns this in the strongest terms and promotes an environment without hate.”
The City of Coquitlam also released a statement on Sept. 25, stating they were aware of signs posted in their community, which ran counter to their commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
They said city staff would be immediately removing all signs posted on public property once they are notified.
“The notice in question promotes activities that explicitly exclude certain groups based on their racial background, this is the definition of racism,” the statement read. “We want to make it unequivocally clear that such practices and sentiments have no place in our city.”
The signs advertised to “proud parents of European ancestry” the creation of an exclusionary playgroup that would escape “forced diversity.”
“Are you looking for somewhere your child can play with others that look like them? Are they tired of being a minority in their schools and daycares?” the sign stated. “Invest in your child’s sense of well being and racial identity by giving them the gift of time spent among their own people.”
Photos of the sign were quickly posted to social media by the blackvancouver Instagram page on Sept. 24. Screenshots from the chatroom were also posted.
Members were asked to hide their identities in privacy settings.
Some commenters seemed perplexed people would see their groups as racist, stating there were double standards for white people. Others claimed their kids were bullied for being minorities in their classrooms.
Commenters who criticized the group were deleted by admins. “Disregard the trolls that wish to deny civil rights for whites,” one admin wrote.
The B.C. Human Rights Code stipulates it is illegal to discriminate against someone based on age, ancestry, colour, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, place of origin, disability or political beliefs.
The Coquitlam RCMP also confirmed they were notified on Sunday of the “suspicious” signs, and said they have two files open on the matter.
Police said they are determining if there is any criminality involved. They ask anyone with information about the signs to contact: 604-945-1550.
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