According to chatter on social media, a Syrian refugee component of Sunday’s Guelph Santa Claus Parade experienced an incident of booing at one point along the route.
The incident has caused a uproar on Facebook, with many decrying the act as racist, sad, and extremely unfortunate.
In a thread following a comment by Aaron Soch, who reported that a member or members of the community booed the representatives of the Syrian community during the parade, Walaa Allaf, who was part of the Syrian parade entry, said cheers of support far outweighed any expressions of disapproval.
“(A)s the leader for the Syrian group in the parade I would like to thank all of you for your support and kind words,” Allaf wrote in response to Soch’s post. “I indeed heard the booing one time and heard the clapping and cheering 100 times, so it didn't bother me , and why would I be bothered when this behavior had encouraged others to cheer louder.”
Allaf said the Syrian group was very thankful to all who cheered.
“And to the one who booed I say that we are now part of this community,” he continued.
He said there is a pharmacist among the refugees, a person who arrived only four months ago and is already working as a pharmacist assistant. As well, there is mechanical engineer who arrived five months ago and is already working full time, and there are more than a dozen Syrian children in Guelph schools.
“What I really can't understand is how booing kids shouting "Thank You Guelph,” and "Merry Christmas," and singing the Canadian anthem could make anyone happier,” Allaf wrote in conclusion to his remarks.
Others on the thread were not quite so conciliatory or forgiving in their remarks. One said news of the booing made them feel sick, while another said had they heard the booing during the parade they would have angrily confronted the culprit.
Another said the Syrian presence in the parade made them feel overjoyed, while others confirmed that the booing fuelled in others the need to cheer twice as loud.
“I can’t begin to express how much this disturbs me,” wrote David Halls in commenting on Soch’s post. “I’ve always been proud to say I’m from Guelph. Now?”
