A rainbow crosswalk that has been in place since 2016 at University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) in Abbotsford has been vandalized.
Security staff discovered on Monday morning (July 8) that large amounts of white and black paint had been spilled across the Pride symbol.
Jackie Hogan, acting president and vice-chancellor, responded in a message to the UFV community.
“We are saddened and hurt by a disturbing act of vandalism that occurred this weekend on our Abbotsford campus,” she stated.
Hogan said police were called, and an investigation is underway. As well, the university has raised its Pride flags “as a symbol of our commitment to inclusivity and Pride Won’t Hide.”
Hogan said UFV “unequivocally rejects any form of hate, intimidation or ignorance without our campuses.”
‘We stand in solidarity with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and denounce this reprehensible act of vandalism,” she said.
The university’s Community Health and Social Innovation (CHASI) Hub responded by using some chalk they had handy to cover up the paint as best they could and writing the words “Pride Won’t Hide.”
The rainbow crosswalk was added to the campus in 2016 near the main entrance to the B building to make the school more inclusive, welcoming and safe for 2SLGBTQIA+ students.
Other Pride symbols at the university were vandalized several times last year. A display, consisting of Pride flags and student-made banners and lining a walkway, was hit by vandals at least 10 times. The entire collection of flags was either totally destroyed or stolen, and several flags had spit on them.
CHASI, the group behind the display, replaced the flags several times and hoped to put up a more permanent display.
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