Swastika Trail street name change vote tonight in Puslinch, Ont.

It's a case of cultural appropriation taken to the extreme, now having repercussions for homeowners, vacationers and even Canada Post.

A streetnamed early in the last centurywhen the Swastika crooked cross symbol originating in the Indian subcontinent became popular worldwide and was celebrated for representing positive spirituality, has now become an embarrassment to some because the emblem later became instantly recognizable as the icon of NaziGermany and is today associated with white supremist groups.

Township councillorswill once againdebate changing the name of their street, Swastika Trail, tonight in the community ofPuslinch, Ont.

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"Swastika Trail was not named by any Hitler supporters and that is the fact that we are losing sight of," said residents in a letter to CBCin Kitchener.

"We are not ashamed of where we live and a change would be an injustice to our township history," declares the document.

However, argues residentRandyGuzar, "the reaction is consistently, without exception, one of shock and dismay and disbelief that there is a street named Swastika Trail."

Divisive debate

The argument over whether to keep or change the name has split the rural community.

Those promotingthe change have received support from diverse groups includingB'nai Brith and online petitions.

"At the end of the day, if the municipality refuses to change it, that would be, I think, a great mark of shame for the people involved," Aidan Fishman, the interim national director of the league for human rights at B'Nai Brithtold CBCNews in November.

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Residents promoting the name change lost a voteon November 1. Twenty-fivepeople wanted to keep the name, 20 people wanted to rename the street, Guzarsays.

Pragmatism versus perception

Pointing out that the street name existedbefore any current residents were around and that people living there now willingly purchased property on it, there's a practical argument being presented by those in favour of keeping the name.

"In addition to our personal documents, many residents also have businesses that would require address changes, along with the Articles of Incorporation, business cheques, letterhead, etc.

This would be an expense for us in the thousands of dollars," the letter from residentsLori and Paul Wyszynksiand Donna O'Krafkastates.

"The name is linked to bigotry, tolerance and anti-semitism," Guzarsaid, "It is a name that will be forever linked to hatred and various other atrocities."