The defacing of a mural celebrating diversity in Aylmer has launched a police investigation and raised concern about racism and homophobia in the town.
The defacing of a mural celebrating diversity in Aylmer has launched a police investigation and raised concern about racism and homophobia in the town.
The eyes of some people of color in the downtown mural were blacked out and the word Sodom was painted across the bottom of the mural — the name of a Biblical city destroyed by God for its wickedness and used in the past to refer to, condemn and legislate against gay sex.
One figure with a blacked out eye is wearing a rainbow colored scarf, a symbol of support for gay rights.
Aylmer Mayor Mary French said she was disappointed to see the vandalism while driving by Saturday and was disheartened to learn more about the graffiti Monday.
“That is disturbing. That’s very upsetting,” she said after hearing more details from The London Free Press.
“It’s a great town and we’re a loving community,” French said. “I always thought we were fairly inclusive. Everybody gets along so I don’t know why someone would do that. That’s really disheartening to hear.”
The mural is on the south wall of the Groovy Moon store at 20 John St. S., next to the Old Town Hall Library, and was spearheaded by the Aylmer-Malahide Museum and Archives.
In 2020, the museum received a large estate donation and commission to paint a mural in downtown Aylmer.
Under the guidance of artist Meaghan Claire Kehoe, students at East Elgin secondary school created the mural last summer. The mural features the faces of six young people of color.
“The students had one overwhelming message they wanted to convey: one of diversity and inclusivity to represent everyone in their community,” the museum’s Facebook page says about the project.
Museum curator Amanda VandenWyngaert would only say yesterday that she was disappointed by the vandalism.
The message has to be distressing to the people of Aylmer, said Elizabeth Simons, deputy director of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network.
“We think it is likely intended to be racist, and potentially homophobic and conspiratorial as well, but it is very difficult to narrow down a message from it. Either way, it is bound to upset and disturb people, and that in itself may be the point,” she said.
The consultant who arranged the donation and mural commission said the artist will restore the mural soon.
“We’ve thought of it as a just very positive and warm and welcome mural for downtown Aylmer,” Andrew Gunn said. “I’m not sure we can speculate on the motivations there. It’s unfortunate that it happened.”
Kehoe could not be reached for comment.
The alley beside the Groovy Moon store has attracted people struggling with homelessness and addiction, said owner Jill Bond.
“This alley, I’ve noticed more people hanging out. There are more empty beer cans in it. I think we should be reading into this that we’ve got a drug problem, and there’s nowhere for people to go or express themselves or heal themselves.”
The graffiti was found on the same day as the shooting in Buffalo, NY, that killed 10 people, and the arrest of a self-proclaimed white supremacist for that. But the graffiti in Aylmer was found several hours before the reports of the shooting.
Aylmer police said Monday they received a report of the vandalism about 11 am Saturday.
They’re asking anyone with information to call them at 519-773-3146 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip online at www.stthomascrimestoppers.ca.