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White Rock RCMP say the crosswalk was defaced just after midnight Friday.

“The city is disappointed that such an act has occurred as the message of the rainbow crosswalk is to cultivate kindness, respect, and inclusion,” the City of White Rock said in a statement.

City staff were on the scene at 6 a.m. and spent several hours removing symbols and words that had been scrawled over the rainbow design.

“Swastikas were painted on there along with gender-based slurs,” said Ernie Klassen, a member of the White Rock Pride Committee. “When we were told about the swastikas, that’s where we said this goes from being simple vandalism to being a hate crime.”

The White Rock Pride Committee, which held its inaugural Pride party on Saturday, was raising funds to have the rainbow-coloured crosswalk permanently installed at Five Corners before the city agreed to foot the bill.

Klassen said the vandalism reinforces the importance of Pride’s message of inclusion.

“We need to keep putting out symbols that represent tolerance and acceptance,” he said. “Honestly, I’ve gotten so many phone calls and text messages from community people today, and they are just appalled that this could happen.”

The incident is under investigation. Anyone with information can contact White Rock RCMP at 778-593-3600.

sbrown@postmedia.com

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