Politicians and residents are calling out messages aimed at Muslims, Indians and Israelis taped to a Brampton home’s door.
Brampton City Coun. Navjit Kaur Brar, who is running for re-election in the upcoming municipal election, posted a picture of the door on social media this week.
The glass is plastered with stickers and flyers, including one that shows Brar’s face with an “X” drawn through it and the words “No Islam.”
Brar, who isn’t a member of the Islamic faith but the first turban-wearing woman elected to office in Canada, called it “disheartening to see something like this in our community.”
The door also has anti-Punjabi messaging, and a note that appears to call Israel a “terrorist,” while also, ironically, featuring what appears to be a pro-Christian sticker that reads “God loves you.”
“Imagine being a volunteer knocking on that door, a mail carrier delivering letters, or someone dropping off a package after a long shift. What message does that door send about whether they are welcome here?” she said in the post.
But Brar says “one door does not define our city,” and that the messages are not “not who we are.”
“We talk a lot about safe streets, but safety isn’t just about crime. It’s also about making sure every neighbour feels safe, respected, and welcome,” she said. “There are those who want to divide us, to pit us against one another. They want you to believe that your life is harder because of your neighbour, because of where they come from or what they look like. But that’s not who we are.”
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Ontario PC MPP Graham McGregor, whose campaign sticker is also seen on the door, commented on Brar’s post, and called the messages “disgusting,” and something that “doesn’t belong in our city.”
Former Federal NDP Leader and Brampton politician Jagmeet Singh also weighed in online, saying he was “sorry this happened during your campaign my friend.”
“I think your response is powerful and another reason why we need you to be re-elected to serve the people of Brampton,” Singh said.
Brar’s council colleague Martin Medeiros applauded her “for calling it out.”
“I have had the privilege to serve with you and look forward to continuing to work together to ensure these acts are not accepted or tolerated in Brampton,” Medeiros said.
Other users posted their thoughts on the messages online, with most supporting Brar’s call for Brampton residents to “look out for our neighbours, support one another, and make everyone feel like they belong.”
“Seems hypercritical to me especially with the Jesus loves me stickers,” wrote one user.
“Why so much hate? We have to find a way to come together so that we can address the issues locally and beyond,” wrote another.
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