Stickers put all over union offices 'intended to intimidate workers' says union leader
Education workers appear to be in the middle of a culture clash as the offices of three frontline education workers' local unions in London, Ontario were vandalized Monday night.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) alleges the perpetrators are transphobic individuals who have been emboldened by recent comments and actions by Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Education Minister Stephen Lecce.
The targeted union offices include the CUPE Local 4186, representing the London District Catholic School Board, as well as Locals 4222 and 7575, serving the Thames Valley District School Board. All three unions promptly filed reports with the London Police Service and have provided evidence to assist in the ongoing criminal investigation.
The vandals put stickers on the windows, doors, walls, railings, and mailboxes of the buildings reading ‘hands off our kids’ and ‘keep gender politics out of schools.’
Laura Walton, an educational assistant and president of CUPE's Ontario School Boards Council of Unions (OSBCU), condemned the act of vandalism.
"Vandalism is a classic tactic of intimidation that has been used against organized workers and oppressed peoples by mobs that oppose freedom, equality, and justice the world over."
"In this case, the violence against property is intended to intimidate workers who are speaking out to protect children's right to education in an environment that's free from harassment - and the right of all students to simply be who they are and express themselves regardless of their gender identity."
Walton is calling on all frontline education workers to stand against hatred and to continue their fight to ensure that public schools remain safe spaces for all students.
In a show of solidarity, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) has voiced its support for students, especially 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.
Walton called on all school boards throughout Ontario to publicly denounce hatred, including organizations such as the Ontario Public School Boards' Association (OPSBA), Ontario Catholic School Trustees' Association (OCSTA), Association franco-ontarienne des conseils scolaires catholiques (AFOCSC), and Association des conseils scolaires des écoles publiques de l'Ontario (ACÉPO).
The statement also called on those in positions of power, including Ford and Lecce, to denounce attacks on students' right to education and to support the fundamental freedom of children not to be discriminated against.
Walton says Ford and Lecce “have shown a callous disregard for the safety and well-being of trans and genderqueer youth.”
Walton says home is not always a safe place for children to discuss gender identity.
“Sometimes school is a much safer place for kids to talk about themselves with caring adults and get the supports they need. Forcing schools to report kids' gender identities to parents puts the lives of children at risk."
As the investigation into the vandalism unfolds, education workers appear to be caught in the middle of a political battle that has parents who believe gender identity should not be discussed in schools on one side, and those who do on the other.
