Just days before the Miners Memorial weekend, Ginger GoodwinB次元官网网址檚 grave has been desecrated.
Carlos Flores made the discovery June 15, when he visited the gravesite to B次元官网网址渃lean up and repaint the tombstoneB次元官网网址� of the iconic leader of the local labour movement, in preparation for the annual weekend commemorating the storied history of Cumberland.
The red hammer and sickle on the head of the tombstone, symbolic of the socialist movement, had been completely removed, with what Flores deduced was acid.
B次元官网网址淭he dark streaks are probably muriatic acid with which the vandals tried initially to remove the red paint from the symbol and it didnB次元官网网址檛 work; so they probably came back and used a chisel to erase it.B次元官网网址�
Flores said an inspection of neighboring tombstones indicated that GoodwinB次元官网网址檚 was the only tombstone vandalized, and insinuated a targeted act.
B次元官网网址淣o other grave has apparently received the criminal treatment inflicted to the memory of one of the most cherished and important labour leaders in B.C.,B次元官网网址� he said, via email. B次元官网网址淭his was not a random act; it was delivered, persistent, targeted and planned.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 very disappointed to hear what has been done to Ginger GoodwinB次元官网网址檚 gravesite,B次元官网网址� said Cumberland Mayor Leslie Baird. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 unfortunate that people feel so strongly that they want to desecrate someone elseB次元官网网址檚 property. I know he is a controversial figure, but he is part of our history.B次元官网网址�
Flores performed a makeshift repair to the tombstone, although he suggested the damage done was beyond repair.
B次元官网网址淚 repaired what I could, but the damage to this historical site is probably irreparable.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淗e has done a nice job of trying to repair it and we certainly thank him for wanting to do that,B次元官网网址� said Baird.
Goodwin is honoured with a graveside vigil every year as part of the Miners Memorial weekend. Baird said that tradition will continue Saturday at 1 p.m. She expects this act of vandalism to galvanize the community.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 going to mean more to the people that are coming [to Miners Memorial weekend],B次元官网网址� said Baird. B次元官网网址淭hey will be upset when they see what has been done, because it hasnB次元官网网址檛 all been [repaired]. They will hear what was done, and it will be upsetting to many people.B次元官网网址�
terry.farrell@blackpress.ca
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