A Kincardine lawyer is calling for the community to make it clear that hate has no home there, after an alleged racially-motivated attack against two teens in the downtown this week.
Andrea Clarke said that her firm was retained to represent the two boys and shared information that the families provided on the alleged attacks.
According to a statement from the former Deputy Mayor, the boys were walking in the downtown area when one of them was subjected to racial slurs, spat on, surrounded and physically attacked by a group of youths. One was reportedly knocked to the ground and assaulted while other young people encouraged the violence, and when his friend attempted to intervene, he was also knocked to the ground.
South Bruce OPP confirmed there is an ongoing investigation, but said more information will not be issued "until it is appropriate to do so," in order to preserve the integrity of the investigation.
"What can be said unequivocally is that no 14-year-old child should have to calculate whether it is safe to walk through his own community because of the colour of his skin," read the statement from Clarke. "The incident has been profoundly distressing for these children and their families. Of immediate concern is not simply what is alleged to have happened this week, but what happens when these children return to school and encounter members of the same school community."
On Friday the Municipality of Kincardine also issued a statement condemning the incident, saying it stands firmly in support of inclusion, diversity, equity and access.
"Regardless of the circumstances of this particular incident, our message is clear: racism, hate, bullying, intimidation and violence have no place in our Municipality," read the statement. "Kincardine is an inclusive and welcoming community where everyone should feel safe, valued and respected. Acts or words that target someone because of their race, identity or other personal characteristics are not consistent with the community we want to be."
This is the second straight year the Municipality has had to condemn racially-motivated attacks, after a youth was verbally assaulted downtown in July 2025.
"This responsibility belongs to all of us. It is not enough to simply avoid participating in harmful behaviour. When someone is being targeted, bullied or harmed, we all have a responsibility to speak up, seek help and refuse to be a bystander," read the Municipality's statement.
The victim's families did highlight the help of an adult bystander who intervened, contacted police and notified the school.
Kincardine District Senior School issued a letter to families on Friday following the incident. Principal Don Burns wrote that they could not publicly discuss the incident to protect the privacy of students, but it was important to clearly name behaviours and attitudes that cause harm.
"Racism, racial discrimination, homophobia, sexism and other forms of discrimination have no place at KDSS. It is important that we say this out loud," read the letter from Burns. "Racial comments, stereotypes and discriminatory language cannot be dismissed as jokes, immaturity or 'kids being kids.' Words and actions have an impact, and when prejudice goes unchallenged, students can be made to feel unsafe or that they do not belong. Our responsibility as educators is not only to respond when incidents occur, but also to help students understand the impact of their actions, challenge prejudice, build empathy and learn from mistakes."
The school said in the coming months it will continue to create opportunities to explore identity, bias, discrimination, inclusion and belonging, while having uncomfortable conversations with students about the responsibility that comes with their words and actions.
Clarke's firm also called for a safety plan before the children can return to school.
"They are not asking for performative assurances that racism and violence are unacceptable. They are asking what concrete measures will be implemented to ensure that their children can attend school without fear," read the statement from the Clarke firm.
In an email, a spokesperson for Bluewater District School Board said the school is working directly with those impacted.
The Municipality encourages anyone who has experienced or witnessed an incident of racism, bullying or violence, to seek support and report it to the OPP.
Community and mental health supports are also available through 211 Ontario, Victim Services Bruce Grey and the Canadian Mental Health Association Grey Bruce.
