Police arrest woman who praised Hamas attack at Vancouver protest
Authorities have arrested a 44-year-old woman who praised last October's attack on Israel during a rally in downtown Vancouver.
Social media video shows the woman leading a crowd outside the Vancouver Art Gallery in a chant of "Long live Oct. 7," referencing the massacre by Hamas – declared a terrorist group by Canada and many other nations – that killed around 1,200 people, most of them Israeli civilians, and prompted Israel's ongoing invasion of Gaza.
"We stand with the Palestinian resistance and their heroic, brave action," the speaker said.
The Vancouver Police Department confirmed Wednesday that investigators are working to determine whether any of the remarks made at the rally could constitute a hate crime.
"We defend everyone’s right to gather and express their opinions, even when those opinions are unpopular or controversial," Sgt. Steve Addison said in a statement. "We also have a responsibility to ensure public comments don’t promote or incite hatred, encourage violence, or make people feel unsafe."
Officers arrested the woman on Monday and released her without charges. Police did not release her name, as they generally do not unless charges are recommended and approved.
Video of the rally has been shared widely on social media, including in a post from the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs on Saturday, which had been viewed more than 600,000 times as of Wednesday.
B.C. Premier David Eby responded to the recording earlier this week, describing the remarks praising the Oct. 7 attack as "the most hateful" he could imagine.
"It's reprehensible, and it shouldn't take place in British Columbia. There is clearly an element of some individuals using an international tragedy to promote hate that's completely unacceptable," Eby said.
BC United leader Kevin Falcon condemned the comments as well, calling the rally an "open celebration of the heinous mass murder of Jews."
"We must continue to stand up against all forms of antisemitism and hate. This vile rhetoric has no place here," he said.
With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Very expensive lunch': Sask. driver says he got a cellphone ticket for using his points app in the drive-thru
A warning from a Saskatoon driver about using your fast-food app while in the drive-thru line — a trip to get some free lunch cost him a lot more than he bargained for.
Forecast turns favourable in fight against wildfire threatening northern B.C. town
A low-pressure system moving into northern British Columbia is expected to dampen wildfire activity that has forced several thousand people to flee their homes in and around Fort Nelson, the BC Wildfire Service says.
New study shows financial impact of homelessness on our health-care system
A new study out of London, Ont. lays out the cost of the homelessness crisis on our health-care system.
B.C. YouTuber ordered to pay $350K for 'relentless' online defamation campaign
An 'unrepentant' YouTuber has been ordered to pay $350,000 in damages as compensation for a 'relentless' campaign of defamation waged online against a business owner and his company, the B.C. Supreme Court has ruled.
Chief says grave search at B.C. residential school brings things 'full circle'
Chief Robert Michell says relief isn't the right word to describe his reaction as the search begins for unmarked graves at the site of a former residential school he attended in northern British Columbia.
'Endless Shrimp' just one misstep for Red Lobster as it eyes bankruptcy protection
While it's unclear what these closures might mean for the 27 restaurants in Canada, Red Lobster is expected to file for bankruptcy protection in the U.S. this month.
Ontario's 'Crypto King' Aiden Pleterski arrested
Of the $40-million Aiden Pleterski was handed over two years, documents show he invested just over one per cent and instead spent $15.9 million on "his personal lifestyle." The 25-year-old Oshawa, Ont. man was arrested and charged with fraud and money laundering on Tuesday.
Evacuees concerned over conflicting information on Fort Nelson wildfire
Evacuees staying in Fort St. John have expressed concern about how little they are hearing about what is happening in their now deserted city.
Insurance claims skyrocket and tensions remain high after slew of natural disasters
According to new data released by Statistics Canada, the cost of catastrophic insurance claims in Canada between 1983 and 2008 was $400 million each year.