'This is a sacred symbol': Holy Roller vandalized again
Months after London, Ont.’s famed Holy Roller was returned to Victoria Park after a year-long restoration, the WWII-era Sherman tank has once again been vandalized.
Over the weekend, it was discovered that a suspect(s) had taken an object and carved words onto the front of the tank.
While the damage is only visible up close and it’s difficult to make out what it says, it’s clear the famed WWII tank has once again been vandalized — and it’s something London Mayor Ed Holder can’t get his head around.
“To imagine that people would do this,” he tells CTV News London on Sunday. “I’ve said before, you can’t fix stupid, and that’s what this is all about.”
Holder adds that while Holy Roller will be fixed, there are no plans to move it to a safer location.
Damage is visible on the front of London, Ont.'s Holy Roller tank, as seen on August 28, 2022. (Brent Lale/CTV News London)
This is the second time since its restoration in the spring that the London icon has been vandalized.
In June, a 44-year-old individual was charged with mischief after allegedly vandalizing the tank with a grinder, causing $6,000 in damages.
In June 2021, Holy Roller was removed from Victoria Park where it underwent an extensive restoration and repairs at Fanshawe College, as years of wear and tear had taken a toll on the tank. In May, Holy Roller was unveiled to the public following the year-long restoration, and returned to Victoria Park during a rededication ceremony.
Holy Roller is one of two Canadian tanks to fight in WWII until the end of the war.
“This point is, this is a sacred symbol for our city and one of our most respected citizens, so we have to honour it,” says Holder.
— With files from CTV News London’s Brent Lale
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Trial begins for Winnipeg serial killer who claims he was mentally ill
The trial of a man who admits he killed four women in Winnipeg is set to begin Wednesday, and a law professor says lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki have multiple hurdles to clear for a defence of mental illness.
New Canadian study could be a lifesaver for thousands suffering from CTE
A first-of-its-kind Canadian research study is working towards a major medical breakthrough for a brain disorder, believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, that can only be detected after death.
Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized
In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from the overturned hull of a boat off the coast of Indonesia. Until now, little was known about why the boat capsized.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.