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Totem pole set on fire on Vancouver Island in retaliation for statue removal
Mounties are investigating after a totem pole was deliberately set on fire in Shawnigan Lake.
The RCMP were contacted just after 4 am on Friday by a motorist who saw that a totem pole at the Malahat lookout was on fire.
The Malahat Volunteer Fire Department was already on scene extinguishing the fire when officers arrived.
Fresh graffiti was also located at the scene referencing the recent events in Victoria where a statue of James Cook was pulled down and thrown in the Victoria Harbour.
“The quick thinking of the passing motorist likely saved not only the totem pole, but also a forest fire,” said Shawnigan lake RCMP Detachment Commander Sgt Tim Desaulniers.
“While the removal of the James Cook statue reminds the public of our presence, it is a two-edged political tool,” Tom said in a statement. “On one hand, it pushes the envelope and forces the public to confront the real issues. On the other, it can embolden racists, sway moderates, and put Indigenous people in harm’s way. “We support calls for the cancellation of Canada Day and we support those who are grieving the loss of our children, but we do not support the destruction of property in their name.” Hours after Cook’s statue was thrown into Victoria’s Inner Harbour, vandals set fire to the totem pole on the Malahat lookout off the Trans Canada Highway.
Malahat Lookout Totem Pole Subject to Arson; RCMP Investigate
SHARE ON: Malahat Totem Pole after hit by an arsonist - Photo Courtesy of Shawnigan Lake RCMP
Shawnigan Lake RCMP are investigating a totem pole that was set ablaze by a arson at the Malahat lookout this morning.
The call came in at around four this morning, from a motorist that happened to see the flames.
The Malahat Volunteer Fire Department were extinguishing the fire when police arrived at the scene.
Shawnigan Lake RCMP Detachment Commander Sergeant Tim Desaulniers says, “The quick thinking of the passing motorist likely saved not only the totem pole, but also a forest fire. This was a very dangerous act that could have had far-reaching consequences.”
VICTORIA Mounties on Vancouver Island are investigating after a totem pole was set on fire in an apparent act of retribution for the toppling of a statue in Victoria just hours earlier. Shawnigan Lake RCMP were contacted just after 4 a.m. Friday when a driver saw that the totem pole at the Malahat lookout was on fire. Police and the Malahat Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene along the Malahat highway. “The quick thinking of the passing motorist likely saved not only the totem pole, but also a forest fire,” said Shawnigan Lake RCMP detachment commander Sgt. Tim Desaulniers in a statement Friday. “This was a very dangerous act that could have had far reaching consequences.”