City of Ostend regrets racist graffiti: complaint to the police

Since November, the New Galleries have been hosting a photo exhibition featuring Ostend residents who are committed to a better world in various ways. “In the weekend of December 17 and 18, four panels of the exhibition were defaced,” says the city.

“It is striking that only the panels with people with a migration background were damaged. It is not the first time that this has happened. This year, some panels of the open-air exhibition ‘Sandwiched’ were already damaged. People with a migration background were also targeted then.”

Diverse Society

“The city of Ostend is a metropolis with a diverse local society,” the city responds in a statement.

“This diversity is enriching and the City therefore takes the fight against racism and discrimination very seriously. Together with the Oostende Mondiaal advisory council, which advises the City on urban North-South policy, it condemns the action and calls for dialogue in instead of vandalizing.

The damage also shows a lack of respect for the work of the photographer. The panels have since been replaced and the City is also looking into the possibility of using camera surveillance at the New Galleries. The police prepared a report.”

All Ostend residents

“​With the city mission “Allemaal Oostendenaar”, the City of Ostend wants to invest in a liveable city for everyone. A city where everyone has equal opportunities and can develop to the maximum. An action plan is currently also being developed against racism and discrimination and for a better society in which everyone feels at home,” concludes the city.