An RCMP investigation has been opened in response to a group of men in Red Deer holding signs reading "deport them all" and carrying a flag featuring a Celtic cross that's associated with white supremacists.
This past weekend, a number of social media posts shared multiple images of these men, most of whom are wearing face-coverings. One of these photos was taken right in front of Care for Newcomers in downtown Red Deer.
"It's pretty disturbing, obviously," said Frank Bauer, executive director of Care for Newcomers, which offers programs and services designed for the successful settlement and integration of newcomers in Central Alberta.
"One thing that was really disturbing to me was the flag (with white-supremacist imagery). It's basically saying, 'Any non-white person is worth less and they should be kicked out of the country.'
"It's always concerning when these kinds of things pop up because you never know what it will trigger. Red Deer has a growing percentage of its population that is non-Caucasian. I could well imagine that if people became aware of this situation, if they aren't already, it would make them nervous. They could be scared to leave their houses. I certainly hope that is not the case."
Bauer said "it was comforting to see" many social media users expressing displeasure towards the offensive messaging of the men in the photos.
"I was happy to see those reactions. It shows that the large majority of people in Canada, and locally as well, are welcoming to newcomers, regardless of where they come from or the colour of their skin," said Bauer.
"It's important to recognize that all immigrants bring wealth and prosperity to our community. Without immigrants businesses would have to close down. ... If Canada isn't the place of choice for immigrants, the country would face serious challenges."
Mayor Ken Johnston issued a statement on Monday regarding the photo circulating on social media.
"We take immense pride in fostering a welcoming environment where every individual feels safe and valued. That is why council and I are deeply troubled and outraged by the disturbing display of hate symbols and racist messages in our city this past weekend," the statement said.
"Let me be clear: there is absolutely no place for racism, white supremacy, or hate of any kind in Red Deer. The actions witnessed over the weekend do not reflect the values of our community, and they will not be tolerated."
The mayor and council "are working closely with the RCMP to address this incident" 鈥� an investigation is open on this matter, the statement added.
"The safety and well-being of our residents and community organizations are of the utmost importance, and we will continue to take decisive action to prevent and respond to such acts of hate.
"To those who promote division and fear 鈥� know that your actions do not define Red Deer. Our city stands united against hate, and we will always champion the values of respect, kindness, and inclusion. I encourage residents to report any hate-related incidents to the RCMP when they see them, and to continue fostering the strong, welcoming community that Red Deer is known for.鈥�
