Local municipal officials are disturbed over a TikTok video originating out of Harriston that makes references to the murder of a Muslim family in London in relation to a local refugee family.
Warden Kelly Linton and Minto mayor George Bridge released a joint statement on Thursday condemning the video seen on social media.
“The anti-Muslim sentiment expressed in this disgusting video is abhorrent to the residents of Wellington County and the Town of Minto, and all efforts must be used to denounce hatred in all its forms,” the statement from both men said.
“Islamophobia and all forms of racism have no place in our community and we must ensure that messages of hate and fear fall on deaf ears.”
In a phone call, Bridge said the video was sent to him from a concerned citizen.
He stressed he does not want to publicize it but explained the video takes place in Harriston and features somebody in their house making comments about a local Syrian refugee family walking by.
“They mentioned that guy from London and ‘where is he when you need him,’ that type of thing,” Bridge said.
The video-taker then makes comments about a truck “missing them” and telling them to back up.
Bridge said he’s appalled by the content of this video.
“That’s just hateful and that’s not normal for our little town,” Bridge said. “That’s why Kelly and I felt we had to get a message out there to counteract it.”
The statement said the family seen in the video participate in services offered by the County of Wellington.
Linton clarified this meant they receive social services as a refugee family and this has had “a negative impact on our staff that work with them.”
Bridge said he was glad to see a majority of the social media response was condemning the video.
The OPP is aware of the video and are investigating.
