‘It’s horrible, disgusting’: Police investigating racist posters found outside Ajax school

WARNING: This story contains details some readers may find disturbing

Police in Durham Region are investigating after a series of flyers with anti-Black messaging and offensive illustrations were found outside an Ajax school, prompting an emergency parent council meeting.

Staff at Eagle Ridge Public School were alerted to the incident on Thursday after students found one of the flyers pinned to a portable on the school’s property.

“A poster was found depicting inappropriate and offensive racist slurs, messaging, and imagery,” reads an email sent from the school’s principal to parents on Thursday afternoon. “Unfortunately, some of our students were exposed to this poster and brought it to the attention of staff.”

The email advised that the school had contacted police who would be looking into the matter. Durham Police tell CityNews they were contacted about the incident and are in possession of one of the flyers.

RELATED: Teacher suspended after using racial slur in classroom at Ajax public school

A photo of the flyer found by the students shows offensive imagery and an anti-Black slur. The poster also provides a phone number for people to call or text “for more information.”

“The picture speaks a thousand words,” says Kinzi Ahmed, chair of the school’s parent council. “It’s horrible, disgusting. To be honest with you, some of us are feeling scared.”

Durham police are investigating after flyers promoting anti-Black messaging were located on the property of an Ajax School on May 11, 2023. (Submitted photo)

Ahmed says the school council had an emergency meeting late Thursday to condemn the posters and discuss next steps. She says executives on the council have suggested a number of steps to address anti-Black racism in the community moving forward, including sensitivity training and more parent volunteers.

Community members have learned of the same flyers being found at neighbouring schools in Ajax and Ahmed says some have shown up at people’s doorsteps.

She credits the students who located the flyers for bringing it to the attention of school staff.

“I received a message from another parent whose kid was one of the kids who found this poster,” says Ahmed. “The news really picked up thanks to the children who alerted, the teacher and the principal.”

The mayor of Ajax, Shaun Collier, released a statement addressing the ‘disgusting’ act.

My statement regarding anti-Black racism incidents. pic.twitter.com/smwIH9x8cj

— Shaun Collier (@mayor_collier) May 12, 2023

The police investigation is ongoing.