Edmonton Journal

UCP staffers followed `obviously racist' Twitter account parodying NDP MLA

- ASHLEY JOANNOU ajoannou@postmedia.com

A racist parody Twitter account linking NDP MLA Thomas Dang to North Korean dictator Kim Jongun was followed by high ranking staffers in the UCP government before its suspension Wednesday.

The account, called Kimjongdan­g1, has existed since 2019, but drew significan­t attention Wednesday on Twitter when some of its racist tweets and its list of followers were highlighte­d by users.

The account called itself “Unintellig­ible” and “Leader of the Wu Dang Clan.” It made jokes about Dang's motion to denounce the display of racist symbols in public spaces, calling it the “Patio Accessorie­s Prohibitio­n Act,” a reference to tiki torches that are often associated with white nationalis­m.

Dang, the MLA for Edmontonso­uth West whose parents came to Canada following the Vietnam War, said in a statement that it was “deeply disappoint­ing ” that while UCP MLAS were voting for his anti-racism motion, “their political staff were enjoying this kind of obviously racist content.”

“Racism and racist violence are on the rise in our society. Several Albertans have been violently assaulted recently in hate-motivated attacks. Anti-asian racism has surged during the pandemic. This is unacceptab­le and I will always confront it,” he said.

It's not clear who ran the account before it was suspended.

Screengrab­s show that among its 52 followers were high-ranking officials in Premier Jason Kenney's office as well as communicat­ions staff for multiple cabinet ministers.

In a statement, Jerrica Goodwin, Kenney's press secretary, said staff follow many accounts on Twitter, including many they disagree with.

“Following an account in no way indicates support. I'm sure if you reviewed even your own account, or those of your colleagues, you would find many instances of this being true,” she said.

Goodwin pointed out a Twitter account referring to Justice Minister Kaycee Madu as “Token” — implying the Nigeria-born MLA is a cabinet member because of his race — is followed by some NDP MLAS.

When asked about that account, NDP caucus spokespers­on Benjamin Alldritt said in a statement racialized insults are never acceptable and should be called out.

“MLA Dang is focused on ensuring the motion he passed against racist imagery and symbols in our community is actually acted on by the UCP government.”

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Thomas Dang

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