Richmond RCMP have confirmed that graffiti was written on the outside of the store on Sunday, with hateful Chinese words such as “hang niggers” and “kill niggers”, at the Art Vision Optical located in the Central Plaza on Hazelbridge Way in Richmond.
Much attention has been focused on anti-Asian hate recently, but this incident reminds us that hate knows no borders and is not limited to a single culture or race,” said RCMP spokesman Ian Henderson. As with all hate incidents, the Richmond RCMP will continue to investigate the incident with the utmost attention and oversight to ensure that hate has no room to grow in Richmond.”
According to photos and images circulating on the Internet, an unknown person scrawled graffiti on an advertising signboard outside ETV Eyewear at approximately 9:34 a.m. Sunday.
The graffiti artist used a red pen to draw what looked like a swastika and later wrote the words “hang niggers” and “kill niggers” on the sign. Police are now looking for the older Asian man involved.
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The manager of the store said they called the police as soon as they found the billboard was graffitied, then they covered the graffiti with paper and tape, and the police came to the store Monday to ask questions. The manager said it was business as usual and that “everything is under control”.
Police said people who know the identity of the suspect, or who witnessed the incident, or who have photos or video of the incident, can contact the RCMP at 604-278-1212, case file number 21-13081. If they wish to remain anonymous, they can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or report it through the website information at www.solvecrime.ca.
Henderson said the investigation is in the early stages and is not yet in a position to comment on the video or photos circulating on the Internet.
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