ST. PAUL - Police have confirmed they are investigating a video posted on social media, showing a group of youth "expressing a racial slur directed at the African Canadian community, in unison," during a New Year's Eve party.
St. Paul RCMP say they received a report on Jan. 3 and initiated an investigation.
Lakeland Today had reached out to local RCMP on Jan. 3, and also received a statement from St. Paul Education Superintendent Glen Brodziak on Monday morning, regarding the video, which had been shared many times through various social media channels.
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"The St. Paul RCMP want to assure the public that this incident is being taken very seriously and are utilizing the appropriate resources, including the Alberta RCMP Hate Crimes Coordinator, to ensure a thorough investigation is conducted," according to police.
After the video was posted to social media, some of the people alleged to have been involved were reportedly threatened, and investigations into those allegations are also now underway, according to RCMP.
"Hate-motivated crimes are criminal offences committed against a person, an organization or property that are motivated by hate, prejudice or bias against an identifiable group. A hate-motivated incident may be motivated by the same factors as a hate-motivated crime, but it does not reach the threshold of being a criminal offence. Such incidents may include name-calling or racial insults," according to RCMP.
Police say they do not encourage any vigilante action against those involved in the situation.
"St. Paul RCMP urge members of the public to resist the urge to take matters into their own hands."
Police also confirmed they are working with the community and local school board to ensure all students feel safe. St. Paul RCMP encourages all victims and witnesses to report any hate-motivated crime or incident to their local police of jurisdiction.
“Both as a community member and in my role as Superintendent of Schools, I am very disheartened and disturbed by the video,” said St. Paul Education Superintendent Glen Brodziak, in an email sent to Lakeland Today on Jan. 3.
