Halifax Regional Police are investigating what they think may have been a hate-motivated incident after a noose was found in Africville Park.
In a release, police said they received a report shortly after noon Thursday of a rope that was placed in one of the park’s trees. The rope was removed by the time they arrived.
“After observing photos of the rope before it was removed, and given its location, officers are investigating the incident as if the rope was intended to be a noose,” the release said.
The park memorializes the historic Black community of Africville, which was razed in the 1960s under the premise of urban renewal.
Community members say it’s an unimaginable and shocking act of hate.
“It disgusted me. Just disgust,” said Florence Franks West, a descendent of the Africville community.
West’s father and grandmother grew up in the community, and she says the incident has revived trauma.
“It’s like a desecration, and it would take a person that just doesn’t realize how much by doing that, really affects our Black community,” she said.
Halifax Needham MLA Suzy Hansen, who is also an Africville descendent, says the incident is a prime example of why the amendments she put forth — such as the Dismantling Hate and Racism Act — should have been implemented.
“If people are bold enough to put a noose on a tree knowing that it would be triggering and harmful enough for others, we haven’t done a good job (in the legislature),” she said.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers.
“We recognize that incidents of this nature can be very harmful to our community. We take incidents that are believed to be motivated by hate towards an identifiable group very seriously,” the release from Halifax Regional Police said.
Juanita Peters, the executive director of the Africville Museum, echoes that sentiment and encourages anyone who sees something to call authorities.
“If you ever see something like this in your neighbourhood at your home, at your business. please always just call the police first. Don’t do anything to alter the site. just give the police a call and let them do the work,” said Peters.
— with files from Vanessa Wright