Bus Shelter Damages and Hate Messaging Investigation Ongoing
- Friday, February 16th, 2024 - 12:01 pm
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On February 14, the Guelph Police Service was notified by the City of Guelph that more than 60 bus shelters throughout the city had their display cases opened and existing advertisements were removed or replaced with what could be construed as political messaging.
We are currently investigating the damage to each of the bus shelters and the messaging contained in the posters.
Reports that there are numerous hate-messaging towards Jewish members of the Guelph community alongside this vandalism.
Today it was brought to my attention that many of our transit shelters across the city were vandalized with advertising space being replaced with posters that reflected political messaging. However, some were also replaced with messaging that clearly would be upsetting to members…
— Mayor Cam Guthrie (@CamGuthrie) February 15, 2024
Local Guelph ‘Street Artist’ who goes by Lionel, along with local activist group “Show Up Guelph”, who have recently blocked traffic on the Hanlon, had emailed local media and disclosed it was them that are responsible for the posters, damages and hate messaging.
Lionel once stated that he wishes to remain anonymous because he has also ‘hacked’ several bus shelter advertising spaces to display his poster-style works.
GuelphToday journalists have had communications with the groups – will they assist Guelph Police in the investigations is yet to be determined.
The Guelph Police Service is committed to protecting the Charter rights of our citizens. As we seek to ensure the safety of our community, any criminal acts of mischief, vandalism and the willful promotion of hatred will be investigated accordingly.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Constable Jagdeep Atwal at 519-824-1212, ext. 7436, email him at jatwal@guelphpolice.ca, leave an anonymous message for Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or leave an anonymous tip online at www.csgw.tips.
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