Calgary Police have charged a Calgary man following allegations he placed white supremacy propaganda stickers in a public changing room at the MNP Community and Sport Centre in January.
Mark Lloyd Pearson, 50, has been charged by police with one count of mischief that has been determined to be hate-motivated.
Staff at the recreation centre were said by police to have immediately noticed the stickers after their placement on Jan. 5, and after removing them, contacted police.
“We have seen similar stickers promoting white supremacy attached to objects in public locations across Calgary”, said acting Sargent Matt Messenger, with the Calgary Police Service Hate Crime Prevention Team.
“Calgary is the third most diverse city in Canada, and these stickers are purposefully placed in locations where the public can easily see them in order to leave people feeling unwelcome and like they don’t belong. This is unacceptable and we will continue to hold those responsible accountable.”
Pearson was charged on March 18, after reviewing CCTV evidence and speaking to staff at the recreation centre.
Anyone wanting to report a hate-motivated crime can contact police at 403-266-1234, or visit www.reporthate.ca.
