New Glasgow, N.S., police respond to disturbance at Africentric Heritage Park

A man allegedly used the Africentric Heritage Park in New Glasgow, N.S., to dry his clothes.

New Glasgow Regional Police says it responded to a disturbance at the Africentric Heritage Park on Vale Road in New Glasgow, N.S., Wednesday morning.

Officers say a “group of individuals engaged in a dispute regarding the appropriate and acceptable use of this historic space.”

Police say they de-escalated the situation and no charges are anticipated.

“This park is more than just a physical space — it is a symbol of resilience, history, and cultural pride,” said Police Chief Ryan Leil in a news release. “We encourage everyone to approach these spaces with understanding, compassion, and respect for their meaning to our community.”

Video from a bystander appears to show a man allegedly using the monument to dry his clothes and quilts.

“In today’s age, it’s hard to imagine this would happen,” said New Glasgow Mayor Nancy Dicks. “When it’s in your community, you are even more discouraged and disappointed.

“When we have interpretative panels up there that explain the history...that is this is in honour of the people of this community and the children to come...and you ignore that, it just shows that we have a big problem that we still need to address that is drenched in systemic racism, anti-Black racism.”

The Africentric Heritage Park, which was founded in 1990, reflects on the history of Nova Scotians of African descent.

-With files from CTV News Atlantic’s Vanessa Wright

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page