Warriors debase graveyard crucifix

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/08/2010 (5703 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The video images from the Fort Rouge cemetery are anything but respectful, and for those whose family members are buried in the graveyard, the scenes are outright offensive.

The large crucifix standing above the graves at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Cemetery is surrounded by men dressed as gang members, complete with Manitoba Warriors gear. Not only are they flashing gang signs but they’ve also tied one of their black-and-white bandanas over the face of Jesus.

Jenny Gerbasi, the area’s city councillor, contacted police after the Free Press showed her photos of the gang members’ antics at the Osborne Street cemetery.

"It’s disturbing… I think these types of occurrences are disturbing to people and we need to make sure that the police are completely on top of this, and ensuring that the rules of our society are being followed," Gerbasi said.

One nearby resident said she heard laughing and joking around the giant cross the evening of Aug. 13. "They were having a great time," she said. The next morning, she collected beer bottles from the area.

"I just don’t think it’s right," she said.

Families of people buried nearby the crucifix agreed, saying they were horrified when the Free Press told them about the images.

"I feel that’s very disrespectful. I’m just shocked… it’s appalling that they would go into a cemetery and desecrate a crucifix. It doesn’t show respect for the dead or for the people who have faith and (believe) in Jesus. Obviously they don’t have a lot of respect for life," said the daughter of one woman buried there.

Another man whose father’s grave is in the cemetery said he found the news "very offensive."

"It’s something terrible,” he said. "How can somebody do this? How are we able to stop this?"

Police did not say if they’re pursuing mischief charges against the men involved.

One of the gang members reportedly involved in the photo shoot said they didn’t plan to offend anyone by taking the photos in a Catholic cemetery or by putting the bandana on Jesus.

He said the plan to use St. Mary’s Cemetery was "spur of the moment."

Photos of the cemetery shoot were posted online as part of an effort to promote their music video.

"I know it’s going to offend some people, for sure," he said.

"The graveyard was open, it wasn’t closed. It wasn’t trespassing, we didn’t destroy anything," he said.

He said members of Gang Life Recordz all belong to the Manitoba Warriors and they make music for the "hopeless" in society.

He said he doesn’t fear repercussion for making the video in the cemetery.

He admitted some members felt uncomfortable shooting there.

He did not know there were priests buried nearby.

He said dressing the crucifix in gang graffiti has a deeper meaning. "It was something for us to identify with."

"I can’t look at their cross and pray to it. It doesn’t look like my people on there… with the black flag on his face, it looks more like something I can identify with."

 –With files from Matt Preprost

gabrielle.giroday@freepress.mb.ca