Two landmark Montreal statues commemorating Queen Victoria were vandalized — covered in green paint ahead of Saint Patrick’s Day — Wednesday night.
A group calling itself the Delhi-Dublin Anti-Colonial Solidarity Brigade took responsibility for the vandalism.
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The group posted a short video online of green paint being tossed on the statue in Victoria Square in Old Montreal.
A second statue was targeted on Sherbrooke Street near McGill University. Both statues are over 100 years old.
WATCH: Two landmark Montreal statues commemorating Queen Victoria were vandalized by a group claiming they represent racism and oppression. Global’s Amanda Jelowicki reports.
In a statement released online, the group said the “racist statues in Montreal are an insult to the self-determination and resistance struggles of oppressed peoples worldwide.”
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The group went on to say the statues are especially an insult to the “legacy of revolt by Irish freedom fighters, and anti-colonial mutineers of British origin.”
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The group said they would like to see the statues removed.
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They explained they were inspired by the vandalism of the Sir John A. MacDonald monument in Montreal last November.
At the end of their statement, the group encouraged others to take similar action against “racist” monuments.
The United Irish Societies in Montreal told Global News they condemn any action of vandalism, and hope for a peaceful parade on Sunday.