Someone spray painted a swastika and an anti-Ukraine message at the home of a Langley teacher who has been flying a Ukraine flag outside her home since the Russian invasion began.

Kiersten Bisgaard posted pictures online of the graffiti after she made the discovery, on Thursday March 9, of a swastika spray-painted on her gate and a 鈥淯kraine = Nazi鈥� message sprayed on the sidewalk.

鈥淪omeone spray painted our gate and sidewalk with disgusting hate either during the night or during the day,鈥� Bisgaard said. 鈥淓vidently they did it in response to our Ukrainian flag that we鈥檝e had flying since shortly after the invasion.鈥�

Bisgaard told the Langley Advance Times her initial reaction was one of 鈥渄isappointment and frustration.鈥�

She called it 鈥渋diotic.鈥�

鈥淚n case you haven鈥檛 heard, Putin鈥檚 propaganda machine has depicted Ukraine鈥檚 government as infiltrated by Nazis,鈥� Bisgaard noted.

鈥滱nd yet, living inside are two grandchildren of WWII vets,鈥� she said, referring to herself and her husband.

When Russia launched the war, president Vladimir Putin claimed it was because the Ukrainian government was heavily influenced by radical nationalist and Neo-Nazi groups, an accusation that has been rejected by Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who happens to be Jewish, and the countries who support the Ukrainian resistance.

Bisgaard has reported the matter to police and added a second flag.

鈥漌e won鈥檛 be intimidated,鈥� she said.

Langley RCMP confirmed an investigation is underway.

Cpl. Craig van Herk said the detachment received a 鈥渞eport of concerning, derogatory graffiti being spray painted on the sidewalk and gate in front of a residence.

Cpl. van Herk said the incident remains under investigation and police are asking anyone with information to contact the Langley RCMP.

鈥淭here have been no other incidents reported and no threats or comments directed toward the residents,鈥� van Herk said.

On Friday, March 10, someone painted over the graffiti, added a heart, and changed the message so it now reads 鈥淕o Ukraine.鈥�

鈥淚t gave me a chuckle,鈥� Bisgaard said.

Bisgaard said her neighbour has now put up a Ukraine flag, too, and she鈥檚 been getting messages of support online and in person since she went public.

鈥淭he community response has been wonderful,鈥� Bisgaard said.

鈥淚t鈥檚 reassuring.鈥�

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