Subhir Uppal, a candidate running for Kitchissippi ward councillor, says his campaign signs have been defaced with swastikas.
What police say they received
The Ottawa Police Service confirmed it received a report on Oct. 5 of a hate symbol drawn on an election sign. The report also described another sign that had been kicked over. Both were in the area of Churchill Avenue North and Scott Street.
According to an email from Uppal's campaign team, the defaced signs were removed and confiscated by police.
It is worth keeping the two accounts distinct. Uppal says his signs were defaced with swastikas. Police describe the report they received as a hate symbol on one sign and a second sign knocked over.
The mayor responds
Mayor Mark Sutcliffe publicly condemned the vandalism. "I'm very disturbed to learn of racist graffiti on Subhir Uppal's campaign signs," he said. "It has no place in Ottawa."
The race in Kitchissippi
Uppal is one of four people seeking the council seat. He faces challengers Joanne Chianello, Brian Innes and Xavier Commerford in the Oct. 26 municipal election.
Kitchissippi is also one of two Ottawa wards without an incumbent in the race, which means the seat is open and the campaign signs along its streets are doing a lot of the work of introducing candidates to residents.
How to report an incident
Police are encouraging candidates and residents to report any such incidents by calling 613-236-1222, ext. 7300.
Anyone who would rather stay anonymous can submit a tip to Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or online at crimestoppers.ca.
What happens next
With voting day on Oct. 26, campaigns across the city are in the stretch where signs are most visible, and anyone who sees a sign damaged or marked with a hate symbol can pass that along to police using the numbers above.
Sources: Ottawa Citizen (via Yahoo News Canada)
