Port Alberni bridge faces third incident of hateful graffiti as community paints it over

A bridge in Port Alberni that honors residential school survivors was vandalized for the third time in four years and locals gathered to paint over the hateful graffiti; the RCMP have asked for dashcam footage and the Tseshaht Nation is installing cameras while the Ministry of Transportation assesses further measures.

Community members gathered on a foggy afternoon in Port Alberni, B.C., to cover hateful graffiti on a bridge that commemorates residential school survivors. The bridge, known locally as the "orange bridge," has been vandalized multiple times, most recently twice in one week. The structure leads toward the Tseshaht First Nation and was painted orange with the words "Every Child Matters" in recent years as a remembrance. Local groups, officials and residents worked together to paint over the latest markings. Known details: - RCMP reported that hateful graffiti and a racial slur were painted on the bridge in mid- and late January and noted this was the third vandalism incident in four years. - Community members, including local groups and officials, gathered to paint over the vandalism and restore the bridge. - Port Alberni RCMP asked anyone who was in the area on the relevant dates to share dashcam footage with investigators. - The Tseshaht Nation plans to install cameras in the area and the Ministry of Transportation said it is assessing additional measures to deter future incidents. Summary: The repeated vandalism has prompted a community response to restore the memorial and prompted law-enforcement and local leaders to seek information and consider deterrent measures. RCMP requests for footage and talks between the Tseshaht Nation and the Ministry of Transportation are the immediate next steps; other responses are under consideration.