Racial slurs and threats posted online by a woman who claims to be from Nanaimo have gone viral on social media over the past week.
A woman named Alysha Stewart, whose social media accounts say she is a health care worker on Vancouver Island, has issued several racist messages on Facebook—screenshots of which have been shared multiple times online.
Her posts were in reaction to the recent Black Lives Matter protests that were sparked by the police killing of unarmed Black man, George Floyd, in Minneapolis MN.
Stewart uses the ‘N’ word multiple times and makes statements like “I would have done the same thing. But worse…” while citing news articles about Floyd’s death.
These posts garnered attention from social media users on Vancouver Island who shared them to express outrage and showcase how overt racism is alive here on the island.
The reaction to Stewart’s statements also led to the creation of multiple petitions like this one, urging RCMP investigation and an immediate suspension from her job at Vancouver Island Health Authority.
While Stewart’s social media pages allege that she is employed by VIHA in some capacity, but Island Health says otherwise.
“Island Health has been made aware of racist comments on social media allegedly made by an Island Health employee. We have conducted a detailed internal review and concluded the individual is not an Island Health employee,” reads a statement from Island Health sent to Victoria Buzz.
“Island Health strongly condemns racism of any kind, respects people of all ethnicities, cultures and faiths, and is committed to upholding and promoting inclusive values and opposing racism and hate in all of its forms. We expect our staff, medical staff and volunteers to uphold these values, and will continue to investigate any complaint that suggests otherwise.”
Multiple concerned island residents have also reached out to Victoria Buzz over the past few days to voice their outrage over Stewart’s statements and her alleged affiliation with Island Health.
Police complaints have been filed across various island jurisdictions to prompt an investigation into her posts.
Her Facebook account was made private after the posts went viral. Corroborating social media posts from Stewart’s family members and friends suggest her account is not fake.
Alysha Stewart has not responded to our request for a response in time for publication.
