A Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board spokesman says they are “shocked and disgusted” over derogatory messages found in a school parking lot.
Spokesperson Stephen Fields says when staff arrived at St. Anne Catholic High School they discovered, in large red lettering, some very derogatory messaging about spray-painted in the parking lot.
“We call this hate messaging,” says Fields. “We were shocked and disgusted and appalled at the fact that someone would go to this level. It is appalling.”
The offensive messages targeted the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
"It was in the student parking lot so that's where all the students that drive see it and it's really visible," says Gina Skocaj, a LGBGT activist and student at the school.
Members of the high school's Gay Straight Alliance are in disbelief.
"I think it's sad, but then I realize that we created the group for a reason and that reason was to help spread awareness and to sort of stop this from happening ever again," says Valerie Williamson with St. Anne’s GSA.
Fields says OPP have been called in to investigate. They are trying to get to the bottom of the incident and figure out who did it.
“I think the vast of the school community is just as outraged,” says Fields. “This is not who we are as a school community.”
He says if it was one the board’s students who did the spray painting, there will be serious consequences.
Maintenance workers covered up the messaging Friday morning.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Lakeshore OPP at (519)728-1810 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
