Petition calls for Hamilton to remove Sir John A. Macdonald statue

The Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion has started a petition to remove the statue of Sir John A. Macdonald from Gore Park.

This latest push to remove the statue comes on the heels of the discovery of the remains of hundreds of children outside former residential schools in May and June.

Other cities, including Kingston, have taken down memorials to Macdonald following these discoveries. Hamilton councillors are set to meet about the issue in July.

Macdonald was Canada’s first prime minister and was key in the creation of the residential school system.

“We stand in solidarity with all Indigenous community members who are re-traumatized each time they are forced to look upon the likeness of the perpetrators of these heinous crimes against them and their communities,” says the petition.

“Welcoming and accepting societies do not commemorate and idolize individuals who have intentionally and unashamedly committed unspeakable atrocities.”

WATCH: Protest calls for the removal of the Sir John A. Macdonald statue

Indigenous community members held a protest in Gore Park on Sunday, calling for the statue to be taken down.

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