HALIFAX – A Dartmouth artist has painted over a swastika that was discovered on her piece of art commemorating Remembrance Day.
Eunice Parsons tells Global News that she re-painted the artwork Thursday afternoon to remove the offensive graffiti.
Several large rocks on Farrell Street across from St. Anthony’s Hall are being painted as part of a project with the Take Action Society. Some of the paintings include a Canadian flag and a Maritime landscape.
Several days ago, painter Eunice Parsons, who lives in the neighbourhood, discovered a swastika painted over a rock she painted with a poppy and the words “Lest We Forget”.
“I was thinking, ‘Why would somebody put that there for Remembrance Day?’ That doesn’t represent November 11th. I’m just disgusted by everything,” she said.
Parsons said the incident feels personal since her son-in-law is in the military.
The painter has no idea whether the swastika was meant to be malicious or was just a prank, but she says it does not matter.
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“That’s devil’s work,” she said.
Earlier in the day, before the rock was re-painted, residents like Earl Bryan were shocked to see the swastika.
Bryan is a veteran who served in the Navy for 33 years. He was running an errand for the legion when Global News pointed the graffiti out to him.
“That’s really, really stupid and degrading,” he said as he snapped pictures to show other members of the legion.
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“I’m disgusted. That’s all I can say.”
Bryan said the vandal or vandals have no appreciation for what the veterans did in the Second World War.
“They wouldn’t be here. They would be marching to the German flag if the veterans hadn’t freed them up.”
Thomas Moine, who lives in the neighbourhood, called the graffiti disrespectful.
“I don’t know how somebody could have that much hate in them to do such a thing,” he said.
A woman, who only wanted to be identified as Cathy, said the vandalism is insensitive considering Remembrance Day is just around the corner.
“It is outrageous and it’s racist. It’s disgusting and it’s horrid. Simply horrid,” she said.
Twins Aidan and Seth Phipps were volunteering at the nearby Boys and Girls Club when they heard about the graffiti.
Their jaws dropped as they walked towards the rock and saw the swastika.
“Are you kidding me?” asked Seth.
“I’m just stunned at this. I can’t believe someone would do this. Why would you vandalize a memorial of Remembrance Day? That’s the one thing you want to not do.”
Cst. Pierre Bourdages of the Halifax Regional Police said no complaints about the graffiti had been filed yet.
He said the suspect or suspects could be charged with property damage, and other charges would have to be investigated. However, he added that for the incident to be classified as a hate crime, consent is needed from the province’s Attorney General.
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