Hamilton Police investigate after Sir John A. Macdonald statue doused in red paint
Published November 10, 2020 at 1:11 pm
Hamilton Police say they are investigating after the Sir John A. Macdonald statue located in Gore Park was doused in red paint early Monday morning (Nov. 9).
According to a press release, police said on Monday, at approximately 7:30 a.m., they received a report regarding mischief to the Sir John A. Macdonald Statue in the city’s downtown core.
Once on scene, police found that the statue was primarily covered in red paint.
The immediate area was cordoned off and City of Hamilton officials were contacted. Police said the area has since been processed and the statue has been cleaned.
Detectives from the Central Division Criminal Investigations Branch have reviewed the information gathered and now believe that between 1:00 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. on Monday morning, a handful of people were involved in a disturbance in the area of the statue.
Police say the investigation remains ongoing as efforts are focused on identifying the individuals responsible for the crime.
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Local reports have noted that the word ‘Land Back’ were spray-painted on the ground in front of the statue, words associated with the movement that supports and advocates for Indigenous sovereignty and rights.
The colour red itself is associated with Canada’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.
Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada’s first prime minister, is reviled by many for his treatment of Indigenous Peoples and racially discriminating policies during his time in power.
In August, in Montreal, a Macdonald statue was toppled and beheaded during an anti-racism demonstration.
Hamilton Police investigators are asking anyone who was driving through the area at the time and area residents to check their surveillance cameras for any suspicious activity and to contact Detective Constable Kevin Jones by calling 905-546-3821 or Detective Sergeant Dave Oleniuk by calling 905-546-3833.
To provide information anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit anonymous tips online.
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