An official photo of Andrea Clarke, who is the proprietor of Clarke Law. (Photo via Clarke Law)
A law firm is publicizing allegations of a “racially motivated” incident involving young people in downtown Kincardine.
Clarke Law recently issued a news release to several media organizations saying it is representing two 14-year-old boys who were “subjected to racial slurs, including the N-word, spat upon, surrounded and physically attacked.”
“The boys report that one was pulled or knocked to the ground and assaulted while other young people encouraged the violence. His friend attempted to intervene and was also knocked to the ground,” Clarke Law alleges in a statement.
The nature of the allegations described by the law firm have not been verified or tested in court.
South Bruce OPP have confirmed to Bayshore News they received reports of the alleged incident, and their investigation is ongoing.
“I can confirm the South Bruce OPP has received reports and there is an ongoing investigation, however a news release will not be issued until it is appropriate to do so. This is, in part, to protect the identity of any possible victim,” an OPP spokesperson says in an email.
Attorney Andrea Clarke tells Bayshore News that since this alleged incident took place last week, parents have been reaching out to her to let her know that they are working to teach their own children how to treat others.
“What this really highlights is not so much the incident that occurred, but the conversation that needs to happen. And one of the things that I have really taken comfort in is the number of parents who have reached out and said, ‘I’m having that conversation tonight with my kids,'” Clarke says.
Clarke Law’s statement suggests the alleged incident involved students at a Kincardine school. But she would not disclose which school or school board it involved.
She adds that although something unpleasant happened, there is a silver lining.
“We see derogatory terms used in workplaces. We see it at events where people say things, and sometimes it starts and it’s hidden as a joke — but in those moments, find the courage to call it out for what it is. Because that’s how behaviour changes. Sometimes people don’t even recognize that what they’re saying may be offensive,” Clarke says. “And that’s where the hope is that maybe we can start to educate people.”
Clarke adds as someone who is a person of colour, and who is raising a family within the community, she knows this type of occurrence is not the norm.
“I live in Kincardine, I love the municipality, and overwhelmingly a majority of the people in the municipality have been wonderful. They have greeted us with a huge amount of kindness, and that’s why I struggle when people sort of say that ‘this makes our town look bad.’ If you know Kincardine, it’s a wonderful place to live, but it’s not perfect, like anywhere else. And so when there are instances like this, my personal viewpoint is that’s why we need to call it out.”
The Municipality of Kincardine also released a statement regarding the alleged incident, saying it supports inclusion, diversity, equity and access to all residents, and the responsibility to have a safe community belongs to everybody:
“The Municipality of Kincardine has been made aware of a disturbing incident involving young people in our community. The matter remains under investigation by the appropriate authorities, and we will respect that process and the privacy of those involved. Regardless of the circumstances of this particular incident, our message is clear: racism, hate, bullying, intimidation and violence have no place in our municipality,” a release from the Municipality of Kincardine says.