Hundreds of flyers promoting white supremacy websites strewn around Vernon, B.C.
CBC News | Posted: November 9, 2016 2:07 AM | Last Updated: November 9, 2016
Distributing the flyers likely not a criminal offence, RCMP say
RCMP in Vernon, B.C., are investigating after someone scattered hundreds of flyers promoting white supremacy websites in neighbourhoods around the city.
The flyers are pieces of white paper with the typed headline, 'Wake Up' and list several web pages that promote racism and Nazism, including one belonging to former U.S. Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke.
Tara Coupal was walking with her five-year-old son to his elementary school when she found dozens of the leaflets on 43rd Avenue in Vernon.
Coupal searched some of the websites listed on the papers and was troubled by what she saw.
"It has a lot to do with white supremacy messages and trying to get people to see their side," she said. "From what I could see, it was enough for me to know that this was a dangerous message."
Coupal picked up the flyers in her neighbourhood to throw away.
She then posted a warning on a community Facebook page and soon discovered other people had found similar leaflets in their neighbourhoods and near schools in Vernon.
"The message is scary. As parents, we should all know that this is the kind of thing that our kids are walking to school and finding on the ground," Coupal said.
"Our community does not want this. We should have grown past this kind of thing a long time ago."
Likely not a criminal offence
In a written statement, the Vernon RCMP writes it's aware of the flyers and investigators are trying to determine who is distributing them.
"The flyers do not carry any overt message targeting any specific group or individuals but do list various websites which may represent extremist groups and individuals," according to Const. Jocelyn Noseworthy.
The detachment has consulted with the B.C. Hate Crime Team.
"Based on our current findings, the flyers do not constitute an offence under the Criminal Code," according to Noseworthy."
With files from Radio West