A local business is offering signs to show that Chatham-Kent is a welcoming and inclusive community.
Owner of Planet Print, Rick Gardiner, said he was inspired after seeing hundreds of signs with different inclusive messages planted around Fergus during a weekend trip.
"We saw them everywhere," said Gardiner. "They were on people's front lawns, business windows. There were hundreds of them. It really moved me."
In order to get the movement going locally, Gardiner collaborated with local artist Christy Obalek to design various signs in support of several groups and social or political movements including the LGBTQ community, the Black Lives Matter movement, religious freedoms, and more.
Gardiner is hoping to raise enough money from the signs to make a donation to an organization that represents these groups in society.
"We knew we needed to do something here in Chatham-Kent," said Gardiner. "We thought we would get a couple hundred printed off and try to promote an inclusive and welcoming community that Chatham-Kent should be putting out there."
Gardiner said he thinks it's important people are aware of the challenges certain groups in the community are facing.
"It takes a community to stand up against hate and this is a way for our residents and local businesses to show that Chatham-Kent is a welcoming and inclusive community," said Gardiner. "We realize these issues are just the tip of the iceberg but our hope is that these signs will spark the conversation about what we can do to eliminate hate, confront racism and eradicate the systems that support oppression - and then turn the dialogue into action."
The print shop will have 100 signs available for residents and businesses to purchase on Friday, July 30. The signs cost $10 and are approximately 24 inches by 18 inches in size.
Gardiner said the business will be planting some of the signs in high-traffic areas throughout the community as well.
"I would love to see local businesses get on board and display a sign in their window," said Gardiner. "If there is hate in this community, let's get rid of it."
