It’s pretty commonplace to see rainbow crosswalks in 2019, especially in the more liberal and accepting areas of Canada and the United States. Crosswalks like these are meant to represent the LGBTQIA+ community and show them that they are recognized, safe, and respected in the place they live.
Though most of us couldn’t imagine arguing against an initiative that does such good, one Canadian city voted not to install rainbow crosswalks, citing concerns for vandalism and community safety for their reasoning.
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Chilliwack, B.C. voted against a rainbow crosswalk in their city center in early September.
However, this hasn’t stopped the residents of Chilliwack from banding together and creating their own rainbow crosswalks by hand.
City Counselor Sue Knott explains that she voted against the proposal in September because “it would be a waste of taxpayers’ dollars”
“When it comes to painting a rainbow on a crosswalk, or baby feet, crosses, anti-immigration or anything else, it becomes a political statement,” she explained during the vote, according to Yahoo News .
She also expressed concern for what could happen after the crosswalks are painted.
“It also becomes a target for vandalism and a canvas for intolerance and hate. You cannot change attitudes by painting crosswalks.”
Shortly after the vote, resident Marty van den Bosch painted a rainbow crosswalk across his driveway.
“I support the belief that everyone should be treated with respect, regardless of our differences,” he wrote in a Facebook post. “If you wish to judge someone, judge them on how they speak of and treat others.”
Shortly after, other residents painted a few more than the one that was originally proposed.
Sixteen to be exact! Plus, no laws are being broken, since a lot of the crosswalks have been painted on private properties.
Four of them have also been featured on First Nations land while one exists at the Chilliwack School District office.
Whether the Chilliwack city council wants them or not, it seems that these placements will mean they’re here to stay.
The project was spearheaded by local resident Amber Price.
“The surge in rainbow crosswalks at our local schools sends a beautifully clear message to our LGBTQ2+ youth — ‘We see you. We support you. We celebrate you. You are loved,'” Price explained to the Chilliwack Progress .
And their efforts could do a lot to make their town stand out.
As Price said, “It occurred to me that we may have surpassed major urban centers with the sheer volume of crosswalks that we have seen installed in Chilliwack. I would like to see that recognized on an international scale if it is the case.”
h/t: Yahoo News
