|
|
Friends and Threshold Partners, On April 12, NVUC Council was extremely disturbed to discover that its Holton Ave building had been vandalized with inflammatory signs. These signs are clearly professionally printed and weather-resistant. Our religious convictions regarding redevelopment of our real property have motivated everything we have done toward the future of this property. We are, therefore, stunned by the possible implications of such “stop destroying our heritage” signage. We are well aware that the word “heritage” is often a rallying call for white nationalism and other extremist groups. This may not be the intention behind the use of this slogan here; however, in the context of an attack on a faith group that professes allyship with Racialized, Indigenous, and Queer / Trans / Non-Binary persons, we must ask whether this act was hate-motivated.
The Church Council is issuing this statement in an hour or two to a narrow audience beyond you and will not include the photo included in this email. The signage was posted on the SW porch and on the Holton main door entrance as well. It has been removed and nothing else went up overnight last night. Please be sensitive to the effect dissemination of a photo like this might have. It will be unwarranted publicity for those who did this. The Church Council believes everyone at New Vision should be aware of this and what actions we have taken. We have filed a hate crime report with HPS and asked them to increase their presence around the building in the next few days. Dixon Challoner Chair, Church Council |
|