Mayoral candidate Ejaz Butt says sign vandalism “unnaceptable”

(Updated)

With less than two weeks to go until the municipal election — campaign signs are dotting streets and lawns across the province. And while it’s not uncommon for the signs to be damaged — there are some disturbing examples of tampering that go beyond what most people would consider acceptable.

Some racist vandalism being scrawled on signs targeted at least two people running for public office.

When Ejaz Butt heard about a swastika being painted on his campaign sign, he was outraged: “It’s a big shock, still such type of people live in Hamilton.”

The 62-year old Muslim came to Canada from Pakistan 30 years ago. When he decided to run for mayor, he never thought he would be the target of racists: “In the beginning, it used to be like this. I thought it had settled down. I was surprised someone hated me this much.”

And he’s not the only one being targeted. In Toronto, a 22-year old Somali Canadian running for council had hateful messages scrawled on one of her signs too. The words “go back home” were painted in red on one of Munira Abukar’s signs: “What it highlights is that we are at a real fork in the road as to where our country is headed. I think we are moving forward as being an inclusive country and it scares a lot of people, a lot of ignorant people.”

And even when the messages aren’t hateful, candidates say having signs defaced is hurtful: “It’s something that’s very personal, so when signs get damaged and ruined it’s a bit disappointing.”

In Toronto, mayoral candidate Olivia Chow has been the target of racist remarks at debates with people shouting ‘go back home Olivia, go back to China’.

And Kristyn Wong-Tam received hate mail that said ‘I hope you get AIDS and die in public office’.