The Chinatown BIA is in search of solutions after considered one of its Lunar New Yr ice sculptures was destroyed exterior a well-liked Chinatown restaurant Friday afternoon.
Anissa Wong with the Chinatown BIA says the act of vandalism occurred exterior the Silver Dragon Restaurant round 6:00 p.m. Regardless of the very fact that there have been no safety cameras within the space on the time of the incident, his witnesses who noticed every part did warn the house owners of the Silver Dragon.
“And inform us the ice sculpture beneath is damaged and it was destroyed by a gaggle of youngsters, however we do not know them in any respect and don’t have any footage,” says Anissa.
In line with Anissa, witnesses described the youngsters as between 16 and 20 years previous.
The 5 sculptures had been put in final month, partially with the 15-day Chinese language New Yr celebrations.
Whereas the incident left one of many BIA’s 5 ice sculptures in ruins, Anissa says it additionally left extra questions than solutions.
“I do not know why they need to try this,” says Anissa. “Perhaps it is for enjoyable or perhaps it is one thing like hate, however we won’t affirm that,” she added.
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This 12 months marks the fifth consecutive 12 months that the sculptures have been put in at the side of the Chinatown Ice Sculpture Showcase (CISS).
Every of the sculptures depicts a colourful rabbit representing the Yr of the Rabbit, considered one of twelve animals within the Chinese language Zodiac.
Due to the scale of the sculptures, Ward 7 Councilor and former Chinatown BIA Govt Director Terry Wong says he doesn’t imagine the alleged act of vandalism was random.
“These ice sculptures are extraordinarily thick and troublesome to knock over,” says Wong.
“What I heard yesterday was round six or seven o’clock final night time somebody got here by with a blowtorch, melted it and knocked it over. So if you happen to can think about that, it is wonderful
Calgary police at the moment are investigating the incident and councilor Wong says town has requested police so as to add extra patrols to the world whereas the photographs are on show for the subsequent week.
He says regardless of the alleged act of vandalism, it won’t hinder the group’s celebrations.
“It is nonetheless Chinese language New Yr, so we wish folks to come back down,” says Wong.
“You see lots of people down right here (Saturday) having fun with it. It is a disgrace we do not have an ice sculpture for them to have a look at.”
Anybody with details about the incident is requested to contact Calgary police or Crime Stoppers.
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