Family speaks out about racism after people throw garbage at grandmothers and kids in Surrey park
A video capturing an altercation at a Surrey park, and viewed on social media thousands of times, is being condemned as racist and family members of the targets are questioning how the RCMP handled the incident.
Sahiba Sangha said when her grandmother came home from Aspen Park last Wednesday she knew something was off, because the senior's clothing appeared to be a little dirty. She asked her grandmother what happened.
"She was like, ‘This couple came out and they started swearing at us and then they brought litter out from the garbage and threw it on us and the kids.’"
Sangha decided to investigate. She went to the park where her and other grandmothers often spent time with their grandkids. She discovered video from someone who wishes to remain anonymous -- and so she posted it on her Instagram page. She said its been viewed thousands of times.
A woman's voice can be heard saying "the next time I see garbage I will flip more s***t than just garbage ... I don't give a s*** if it's not yours."
The concerned granddaughter believes this is racism in action, because of other comments that can be heard that tell the women to speak in English because they are in Canada.
Nine-year-old Gurlal Gill was at the park with the grandmothers.
"We felt like people were treating us like garbage," he said.
He said he still feels scared to go to the park and worries that the couple might come back and harass him again.
"If they come again, that would be, like, kind of crazy," Gill said. "So, I think they should get banned from the park."
Sangha said when police were called, the grandmothers who were targeted couldn't explain in English what had happened. She added that the grandchildren with them weren't listened to when they tried to explain what had happened, and a neighbour who stopped to translate was brushed aside by police. She's questioning if the officer did enough to hear the women's version of events. In many South Asian families children are often relied upon to translate for elders.
The officer picked up the garbage, and so too did the women and the kids. Sangha said she asked her grandmother why.
"She said ‘We were told if we didn't we'd be fined.’ And I was like, ‘But did you litter?’ and they said, ‘No, the couple took the garbage out and threw it on us."
CTV reached out to Surrey RCMP for comment. Mounties have not yet responded.
Sangha, who says she is speaking out for those who don't speak English, is condemning the behaviour. She says the toughest part is the impact on the kids.
"It's sad and its upsetting. I feel sad for the little kids who had to see this."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.