SAINT-LAZARE, QUE. – When Warren Goldstein had a huge shock when he was walking through the Nature de La Tourbière du Bordelais park with his son in Saint-Lazare.
Swastikas had been carved into several of the park signs.
Goldstein told Global News seeing Nazi symbols in his town left him worried.
“Unfortunately the way it was with the angle that it was, it was meant in a derogatory term,” he said.
“My son, at six years-old – going through a nature walk – he doesn’t have to learn about that yet as far as I’m concerned.”
Goldstein said he called Saint-Lazare town hall to alert them of the signs and even offered to change the Plexiglas himself, but was told it wasn’t necessary.
A week later, nothing had changed.
Officials said they was busy with springtime work and changing the sign was not a priority, plus removing the the glass would have left the park poster exposed to the elements.
Goldstein then posted photos of the swastikas on social media and comments supporting Goldstein’s push to have the matter dealt with, started rolling in.
READ MORE: After two years, swastikas still on community mailboxes
Wednesday, Saint-Lazare said the pressure on social media made them reconsider and city workers were sent to replace the plexiglass.
“We know it was a heinous graffiti, but we live in a community that’s not racist so we know from other graffitis that it’s just youngsters,” said Geneviève Hamel, Communications Director for Saint-Lazare.
“I’m very happy that it’s actually removed,” Goldstein said.
“I come here quite often with my son and my daughters. There’s no problem for me now in the city.”
Saint-Lazare said it won’t be investigating any further, but encourages people with leads to call the Sûrete du Québec.
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