White supremacists have stuck propaganda stickers up at a York primary school – as part of a “disgusting” campaign.
Promoting racist views, the stickers were discovered at Scarcroft Primary School on Tuesday morning (3 March). One was posted on an entrance sign to the school.
The stickers appear to promote a far-right group called the Hundred-Handers.
Parent and school governor Cllr Jonny Crawshaw said he is “loathed to give any oxygen” to the white supremacist group’s propaganda – but that a line has been crossed.
Not in my city
He said: “To target this bile at a primary school is disgusting.
“Europe has seen this kind of white supremacy nonsense before and we know where it leads.
“Sadly, I am aware of a number of incidents of racism and race-related violence in the city in recent months.”
Cllr Crawshaw added:
I don’t know who the person behind this is but they do not represent my community or my city.
Strong communities are tolerant and compassionate.
The York I know is open and welcoming of all people from any and all nationalities and backgrounds.
Racism and intolerance are not welcome here or anywhere.
He said the stickers are “completely and utterly unacceptable” and reflect growing intolerance.
Police investigating
Police were called to the school and say they are looking into whether there is CCTV footage of anyone posting the stickers.
They say similar stickers have been appearing throughout the city in recent months.
Another parent at the school said they were “shocked” to see far-right views promoted in York. He said:
I was pretty angry to see stickers on the school, of all places.
A place of learning should not be a place of hate.
Children are typically those most accepting of others and we should learn from them. To push racist views on young children is pretty disgusting.
Police officers were called to the school yesterday morning, Tuesday, after reports of stickers promoting white supremacist ideology.
A force spokesperson said: “Officers attended to check the local area for any further stickers and to ascertain if any CCTV might be available of the area.
“We have been aware of similar stickers appearing around York in recent months and our prevent officers are working with local policing and the local authority to identify, deter and where appropriate, prosecute, those who spread extremist messages in our community.”
They have urged anyone who sees a similar sticker, or someone putting stickers up, to report it to police by phoning 101.