The City of Thorold said they will remove conspiracy theory-laden grafitti discovered in several parts of town over the last few weeks.
Passers-by walking around Battle of Beaverdams Park, Lock 7 Viewing Center, McMillan Park or Front Street have spotted messages on utility boxes and concrete slabs since April, with several appearing over the last couple of weeks, said a person who regularly walks the trail.
Messages like ‘Q’ and ‘Wwg1wga’, terminology used as a part of a far-right conspiracy theory poupularly referred to as ‘Qanon’ have been spraypainted, stirring up emotions in a local Facebook group dedicated to discussing current issues in Thorold.
The ‘Qanon’-movement embraces the idea of a ‘deep state’-conspiracy against U.S President Donald Trump and beleives that a secret network of pedophiles, globalists and celebrities are in control of America, and that Trump is about to expose them.
The origins of the accusations appear to stem from an anonymous 2017 post on the loosely moderated internet forum 4Chan, by an individual who claimed to have insight into classified dealings of the U.S government.
Subscribers to the theory have multiple times made unfounded online allegations against supposed enemies of the movement, resulting in real-world consequences.
Allegations put forward by believers have multiple times been debunked, but have enjoyed widespread media attention.
When contacted by Thorold News on Thursday morning, the city said they will move to erase the sprayings as soon as possible.
