Winnipeg,
MB – A Winnipeg high school says it’s taking action to address racist and
hateful messages that were shared among multiple students on social media over
the summer.
The Pembina Trails School Division confirms a male student
from Shaftesbury High School was bullied and targeted with antisemitic images
on Snapchat by other students.
Superintendent Ted Fransen said he learned about the
incident last Friday night and Winnipeg police were immediately called to
investigate the matter.
“I was
horrified and quite disappointed,” said Fransen. “I’m not on Snapchat
but I’m aware there was some antisemitic imagery involved in the social
media.”
Winnipeg police said they were called by a concerned parent
about the online messages on Sept. 1 but no charges will be laid.
“Criminal
charges are not being pursued with all involved parties happy with [the] action
taken by police and school,” said a Winnipeg police spokesperson.
Fransen said the boy was targeted by about half a dozen
students and that the school and police have since spoken to all the students
involved.
“As you
know, this is a huge issue not only in Shaftesbury School but across Canada and
the United States, and we take it very seriously,” he said.
“Any time a
child is singled out and there’s a hate message, it’s a concern.”
