A Winnipeg resident said she was upset to see racist and homophobic graffiti on a park in her community over the long weekend. Eaglewood Park in Winnipeg’s Prairie Pointe neighbourhood was hit with graffiti over the weekend. Images of the graffiti reviewed by CTV News include homophobic and racist language, as well as gang-related tags. Jasmine Brar, founder and president of the Prairie Pointe Neighbourhood Association, said she saw the tags while out for a walk. “Our parks and community centres are a safe place for our families, seniors, and our children to gather and play, regardless of our religion, our ethnic backgrounds, our colour of our skin or our gender,” she said. “You should not be subject to hate or discrimination like this. “These types of homophobic and racist slurs have no place in our community.” Brar, who is running for the Waverley West city council seat in this fall’s election, said some residents she has spoken with feel unsafe. “They don’t feel safe sending their kids to the park,” she said, adding she has also received negative comments online for posting about the graffiti. Brar said the graffiti has been reported by neighbourhood residents to both the city and Winnipeg police. She urged residents to stay united. “We have come across many hurdles in the past, and this will pass as well,” Brar said. Current Waverley West Coun. Janice Lukes said three parks in the area were hit with graffiti and cleaning crews will be out Tuesday due to the long weekend. “The graffiti we are seeing in three of our parks and on private property is unacceptable,” Lukes said in a statement. “There is no place for violence, hatred, Islamophobia, antisemitism, or racism of any kind in our city. The police are investigating. Its disappointing to see beautiful public places damaged, and very sad to see humans behave like this.” The Winnipeg Police Service confirmed Monday it is investigating the incident.
