Windsor police are now investigating after additional acts of vandalism were reported at an organization supporting the transgender community.
On Monday, February 15, the executive director of W.E. Trans Support noticed a swastika and a profane, homophobic slur scrawled on the front window of the agency's Tecumseh Road East office.
The graffiti was removed but vandals struck again twice. In the second instance, on Saturday, graffiti criticizing police was found along with more swastikas, racial slurs, and homophobic slurs.
In the most recent incident, on Monday morning, the vandals got bolder as a rusted brake rotor from a vehicle was thrown through the window, shattering the glass and damaging the floors. Additional swastikas and obscene language were also written.
W.E. Trans Support Executive Director Alexander Reid said the group will not be deterred from its mission.
"At W.E. Trans Support, we loudly speak out against transphobic, homophobic, racist, sexist, misogynistic, islamophobic, ableist, and bigoted hate speech, violence, and hate crimes," wrote Reid in a media release. "We will not back down in the face of these acts of hatred and we will not let it stop us from the important work we do to support the health and wellness of our queer and trans community members, our families, friends, and allies."
Windsor police are asking the public for help in finding the people responsible. It is asking anyone in the area with surveillance cameras to check them for any unusual activity between the hours of 2 p.m. Friday and 7 p.m. Saturday, as well as 1:30 p.m. Sunday and 11 a.m. Monday.
"The Windsor Police Service denounces all criminal acts, especially those that promote hatred toward anyone," read a statement posted Tuesday afternoon. "Hate crimes have a harmful impact on the community. Not only does it cause emotional trauma to the victim, it results in serious friction between different groups in our society."
A GoFundMe page has been set up for a fund to repair the damage. As of Tuesday afternoon, it had raised $9,515.