Editor:
I was at Lower Hume Park when I witnessed a blatantly racist incident.
A number of Black families had set up in the picnic shelter and were enjoying a meal when a white lady rushed in. She rudely demanded that they pack up and leave immediately, and to not forget to clean up after themselves.
She pointed to a small posted sign (easily overlooked) as evidence that she had booked the shelter. As she loaded in her party supplies, she continued to berate them in an attempt to hurry them along.
When they tried to relocate their party to the grass outside the shelter, she claimed that her rental also included all the space to the baseball diamond.
I know that if their skin colour was the same as hers (and mine) that she would not have treated them this way.
I was so appalled, frankly, that I approached the group and apologized for her disgusting behaviour.
I also reported the incident to a City of New Westminster employee I saw later in the day. I can only hope that she is banned from ever renting a facility in this city again.
I also hope her friends and family who attended her event read this and are made aware of her bigotry. This kind of behaviour is not welcome in this city (or this country) and it's time people spoke up.
Lisa Sale, New Westminster
