The John A. Macdonald monument in downtown Montreal was covered head-to-toe with what appears to be red paint early Sunday.
The vandalism took place ahead of a demonstration that saw hundreds take to the city’s streets to denounce racism and Bill 62, the province’s religious neutrality law requiring anyone receiving or providing public services to have an uncovered face.
Video posted online by a group of self-described “anti-colonial anti-racists” shows a colourful substance being sprayed onto the statue of Canada’s first prime minister at Place du Canada.
In an accompanying statement, the group said Macdonald was responsible for residential schools, measures to destroy Indigenous cultures and traditions, and the open promotion of “so-called ‘Aryan’ Canada.”
“John A. Macdonald was a white supremacist,” the statement read. “Macdonald’s statue belongs in a museum, not as a monument taking up public space in Montreal.” The video and statement were shared on the Facebook page of activist Jaggi Singh.
Andrée-Anne Picard, a spokesperson for the Montreal police, told CTVNews.ca that investigators are looking into the matter, but there are no suspects or witnesses at this time. She said police will be examining security cameras in the area for evidence.
The group said it is not affiliated with any of the 160 organizations participating in Sunday’s anti-racism demonstrations, while expressing support and solidarity with their motives.
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