Oxford Pride supporters decry rainbow boardwalk damage as act of hate
CTV
Pride month in Oxford County has been marred once again by what some are calling an act of hatred.
Pride month in Oxford County has been marred once again by what some are calling an act of hatred. The OPP is investigating after a Pride boardwalk in Tillsonburg was damaged by a motorbike twice in two weeks.
Security video from the Station Arts Centre date-marked May 27 appears to show a motorbike rider arrive at the freshly painted rainbow coloured boardwalk.
The driver lifts yellow tape surrounding the boardwalk, proceeds onto the rainbow surface and performs spinouts, damaging the wood and paint.
The driver is then seen driving off into the night.
Another video marked June 9 shows a motorbike arrive to the same spot. The driver appears to make a hand gesture to the camera before applying fresh damage, then taking off.
Station Arts Centre ExecutiveDdirector Tabith Verbuyst said it’s disheartening.
“It’s very blatant that it’s a hate crime against the community. It’s hurtful, it’s disrespectful, it’s not necessary in today’s day and age. Nobody understands why we can’t just all get along,” she said.
Federal cabinet ministers Filomena Tassi, Carla Qualtrough, and Dan Vandal announced Thursday they will not run for re-election. Senior government sources tell CTV News at least one other – Marie-Claude Bibeau – doesn't plan to run again, setting the stage for Justin Trudeau to shuffle his cabinet in the coming weeks.