Members of the Huntsville Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying individuals involved in a hate-motivated crime.
On June 8, 2024, at approximately 7:45 p.m., a family of South Asian descent but born and raised in Canada was walking on the sidewalk near the intersection of Brunel Road and Main Street East when a grey and older model sedan approached the family. Four occupants in the vehicle called the family racial slurs and spit at them. The vehicle then travelled eastbound onto Main Street East.
This publication was made aware of the incident via an email received from one of the victims. The email was also sent to the mayor and other media. The victim was clearly upset and stated: “You and your community should be ashamed of this behaviour. As a child of the 70s and 80s, I experienced this regularly, and now, in 2024, my children have experienced the same racism in your community!”
The Huntsville OPP continues this investigation with assistance from the Muskoka Crime Unit and the OPP’s Hate Crime and Extremism Unit. The says it OPP takes hate-motivated crimes very seriously as they undermine public safety, negatively impact our communities, and can escalate toward criminal extremism. It is important that hate-motivated crimes are reported to the police, as they are illegal under the Criminal Code.
The Huntsville OPP requests that anyone with any information or video surveillance of this incident contact the Huntsville OPP at 705-789-5551 or 1-888-310-1122. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit information online at www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca. You may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2000.
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One hundred percent in agreement with Joanne’s comment on bystanders. They really are the issue. When you stand by and allow a bully to demean others, then you are the problem too.
Mr. Markle yes we can only make our own choices about how to treat others. When we are silent, acceptant bystanders when we witness racist, or disrespectful, unfair and bullying behaviour, we are only rewarding the behaviour and makes more of it likely. These incidents spread hatred and violence.When someone shares their experience with such an incident, it deserves more than a shrug.Growing up as a visible minority in the sixties, our family taught us to be stoic and expect these incidents – not a very fun or trusting childhood. I hope it is better for our grandkids now. I prefer to believe these kind of bullying behaviours are not the “human condition” but signs of deep unmet needs, and learned very old societal beliefs about the value of other humans- women, people of colour, or non-Christian persons.Muskoka is no longer “so White.” My own waspy father-in-law told me that he wished ” we had all stayed where we belonged.”( No doubt also a wish of Indigenous people)Muskoka’s growing diversity was very challenging for him.We all have biases that we have learned and need to question. That is in our control.
It’s still here and I suppose it always will be. You can call it what you will, but for me it is simply various forms of bullying. It is not solely a local problem and it manifests itself in a variety of ways, from verbal abuse to caste systems to slavery to open warfare.
I agree with the comment made by Randy Spencer. I will not be held responsible for the ‘human condition’. It was put in place by pay grades much higher than my own. And although lots of harassment and bullying is homegrown, there is also a goodly portion that is imported.
I’ve seen individuals bullied by the very population they had come to help. Have seem women harassed by p$%#*ks who thought being a boor was ‘cool’. People have been bullied because they carried extra pounds, were too tall or too small or maybe had a visible impediment. Some bullying manifests itself with the attacking of washrooms or shooting up a bridge.. There is no end to the reasons some individuals use to initiate the stance of a bully.
So while I can feel for those who are abused, I can only control myself and hope to influence those around me. I use the word ‘control’ because I’m not positive as to how I would react if confronted myself. I think I have done okay so far.
To Brooke Tee: this type of incident happens every day everywhere on the globe and for a variety of reasons. But I know it doesn’t happen here in our town to the extent or with the severity of other locations. Read a paper or watch the news to see where hatred is alive today. Too bad you had this experience here.
Bullies, boors and jerks are international. In my opinion.
Bullies! They walk among us and it’s very sad.
I was with my family (including 3 & 5 year old) at the McDonalds in Huntsville when a group of teenagers hurled incredibly racist remarks at us. One 16 year old even followed us on his dirt bike and threw a rock at our vehicle. Thankfully the police were able to intervene and he was apprehended (he already had a record).
Our entire family was born in Canada. We were targeted because of how we look by the very people who will one day represent our country and your town.
Commenting on this article because I wanted to see if incidents like this had happened before. Sadly, it’s disheartening to see this kind of hatred still alive today.
Anyone who grew up here would know them. Food for thought.
I’m so sad to hear about this incident. Hate comes from fear and ignorance. How can we educate the community to enlighten them on the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of the hard-working people who are coming to Huntsville? When people are seen as “other”, fear and ignorance can breed hate.
Outraged and very sad for the totally unacceptable disrespect shown you by an ignorant and uncultured few among us. Know that your caring neighbours will stand up for you. There are stiff penalties for hate crimes.
I also must add that this kind of behavior should not be tolerated and we as citizens of Huntsville need to standup and defend these victims. I personally remember 40 some years ago moving here and my parents coming to visit and the side looks my stepfather(who just happens to be Jamaican) got in a certain store trying on a hat it was not comfortable to say the least, we have matured since then I hope!!
I am so sorry to hear of the despicable behaviour toward one of our neighbours by other neighbours and I am ashamed that racist and bigots live among us, although, as Randy Spencer says, they are everywhere. Sadly.
I, too, cringed when I read “…a family of South Asian descent but born and raised in Canada…” so I’m glad that Tamara clarified the reason that Doppler described the disrespected family in that way.
A few weeks ago I accidentally intruded on a private function at the new Hindu temple and restaurant. Once I realized that the event was private, I apologized for barging in and prepared to leave quickly.
I was warmly welcomed, told there was no hurry and given the information that I originally sought. Then, I was offered food and drink. The attendees of predominantly South Asian descent smiled and nodded their welcome; my discomfort about my intrusion melted away.
What a contrast to the behaviour of the ignorant thugs who accosted this family; I hope they are identified and held accountable.
Thank you for making us aware of this incident. I would hope this reminds us to stand up for others who are being mistreated this way. This blatant expression of racism, hatred and ignorance is very hurtful to all of us, especially any of us who are visible minorities. It is a kind of hate bomb that ripples out to everyone in the community. Muskoka is becoming more diverse in resident population and this is a change that is a happy trend as we welcome people willing to contribute their skills and cultural riches to our community. Sadly, there are those who are uncomfortable with these changes, and are unwilling to open their hearts and minds to new neighbours or visitors.
That behaviour is despicable and those who did it should be ashamed of themselves. I also don’t see how this reflects on our community, and how do we know that the perpetrators were even locals?
Roy,
That is how the victim described themselves and their family.
I’m sure that the following phrase was an error in editing and doesn’t reflect the attitude of the staff and management of the Doppler, but it still needs to be pointed out.
“…a family of South Asian descent but born and raised in Canada…” somehow conveys the notion that the despicable treatment of these people would have been justified if they had been born and raised elsewhere. To be clear, no-one, regardless of where they were born and raised, deserves to be treated like this.
I am sorry for your experience but please don’t say as a community we should be ashamed for the actions of fringe few that exist in all of society. These creatures exist in every country around the world. Sadly they do a lot worst elsewhere