‘Brainwashing’ social media post by Alberta school board trustee shows Nazi, Pride flags | 24CA News
WARNING: This story accommodates photos which may be disturbing.
A social media publish by a college board trustee with Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools prompted an announcement from the college board on Friday in addition to requires her resignation.
A current story shared on-line from a social media account belonging to Monique LaGrange included an previous black-and-white picture of smiling kids leaning out a window waving Nazi flags with the swastikas on them.
A extra fashionable picture immediately beneath it exhibits younger kids in a classroom holding up selfmade Pride rainbow flags.
The caption reads: “Brainwashing is brainwashing.”
The publish was later deleted.
In an announcement to Global News, the Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools (RDCRS) Board of Trustees mentioned the story shared by Trustee Monique LaGrange “doesn’t align with the ideas and values that information our division, and Trustee LaGrange doesn’t converse on behalf of the board.
“Our division is committed to fostering learning environments that are inclusive, respectful, and considerate of all members of our schools and community.
“We deeply regret any distress that the comments may have caused.
“In response to learning about this matter, we immediately engaged our Trustee Code of Conduct. According to the code, issues can be handled through a conciliatory approach if all parties are agreeable. In this instance, Trustee LaGrange removed the social media post from her Facebook page as requested by the board.”
Global News has reached out to Monique LaGrange for remark. This article might be up to date if/once we obtain a response.
Global News has additionally reached out to Alberta Education and the Alberta School Boards Association.
In an emailed assertion, Alberta Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides supplied this:
“No one should have to live in fear of violence, discrimination, or exclusion. All students deserve to feel safe and welcome in schools across the province.
“I am beyond disappointed to see this and categorically condemn these actions. I will be following up with the chair of Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools board to discuss this incident.”
Kristopher Wells, Canada’s analysis chair for the general public understanding of sexual and gender minority youth and affiliate professor at MacEwan University, mentioned he was very dissatisfied by the social media publish.
“Disgusted, quite frankly, to know that these types of horrific comparisons are being made in 2023.
“It’s even worse for it to come from a person in a position of leadership, as an elected official, and somebody who is working to protect and support children in our school system,” Wells mentioned.
“It’s unconscionable and I believe that not only should this trustee immediately resign, the RCMP should be investigating it as a hate incident, and I would call on the minister of education to also launch an investigation.
“We can’t have 2SLGBTQ children who attend our school system wondering if they’re in a safe environment or not.”
Wells mentioned there’s been a rise of hate incidents focusing on 2SLGBTQ group members throughout Canada and this kind of rhetoric contributes to hate and discrimination.
He desires to see swift motion taken.
“In a situation like this where you’re comparing the 2SLGBTQ community to Nazi propaganda and the atrocities of the Nazi party, more than an apology is needed.
“Imagine if this same comparison was targeted towards the Jewish, Black or other minority communities in our society? There would be — and rightfully so — widespread outrage. But somehow, here we are in Alberta, where people and elected officials feel that this is appropriate,” Wells mentioned.
“We need to say loudly and clearly that hate has not only no place… but those perpetrators are going to be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
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