MONASTERY, N.S. – A school in northeastern Nova Scotia has closed due to an online threat that came just days after racist graffiti was spray-painted on a school bus and a sign not far from the facility.
The Mounties issued a statement Tuesday saying vandals spray-painted the graffiti close to the East Antigonish Education Centre, a school attended by many Mi’kmaq students.
The school board also issued a release today saying the school was closed Wednesday due to a “possible threat … using social media.”
Cpl. Dal Hutchinson, a spokesman for the RCMP, said the two incidents are being treated as separate matters by police, but investigators will try to determine whether there is a connection.
He said when the school reopens there will be a police presence to reassure students and parents of their safety.
The RCMP said the crude remarks about Indigenous people and African Nova Scotians were painted on the bus and the sign at some point between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. Sunday at the school about 30 kilometres northeast of Antigonish.
Many of the children who attend the school are residents of the Paqtnkek First Nation, located about 10 kilometres from the facility.
One parent posted photos of the racist graffiti on his Facebook page, adding, “School my kids go to. Nice, eh?”
Police said that by Tuesday afternoon most of the red spray paint had been removed or covered up, but that evening a notice went out to parents from school principal Richard Britten saying the school was closing, based on the advice of police.
It is sad and disgraceful that First Nation’s and Blacks are still discriminated against in this country.
It is sad and disgraceful that First Nation’s and Blacks are still discriminated against in this country.