Police in Vancouver are investigating the latest round of vandalism targeting the Chinese community due to COVID-19.
The Twitter account belonging to Chinatown Today shared a photo of a lion scrawled with the words “COVID China” and “goof.” Sarah Ling then tweeted a second photo in response saying that vandals also marred another lion at the entrance of Chinatown with the words “COVID-19” and “China.”
The lions are located at the Millenium Gate in Vancouver’s Chinatown. City crews have covered the graffiti with duct tape and will work to remove it, according to Global News.
The private company GoodBye Graffiti volunteered to remove the spray paint as a public service.
“Hate has no place in British Columbia,” B.C. Premier John Horgan said on Wednesday to CTV News. “We are a strong and vibrant economy, and a strong and vibrant community because of the diversity that is what makes up this great province.”
Global News reported the city has provided additional funding to the Chinatown Business Improvement Association for increased security.
“As the City already pointed out at the end of April, racism, xenophobia and hate speech have no place in Vancouver and the City is appalled by the recent increase in anti-Asian discrimination that has occurred during the current pandemic,” a city spokesperson said to Global News.
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