Protest against anti-Asian racism leads to confrontations at Richmond court
Anti-racism protesters rallying outside Richmond provincial court on Wednesday ended up in tense confrontations with two different people, both of which were caught on camera.
In one incident, protesters can be seen shouting at a woman entering the building. The woman then came back out, and videos of the altercation show her shouting and swinging her bag at the protesters and camera operators.
Multiple protesters have contacted CTV News Vancouver to say that the woman was a passerby. They allege that she started the confrontation by smashing protesters' signs near the street before entering the building, and became violent when the demonstrators attempted to ask why she had done so.
In the other incident, a man seen leaving the building gets into a lengthy argument with protesters while television cameras are recording.
The man tells the protesters that Chinese people brought COVID-19 to Canada, and goes on to express opposition to immigration from China.
"Do you like French food?" He asks the demonstrators. "Do you like Vietnamese food? You like all foods? You have no preferences? I have preferences. I prefer to have English or French or German than Chinese in this country."
The protesters identified themselves as members of Stop Anti-Asian Hate Crimes advocacy group, which has organized rallies against anti-Asian racism around Richmond in recent months.
Wednesday's gathering was the second the group has held outside the city's courthouse during court appearances by people charged with mischief in an incident at a coffee shop in the city in March.
Police were called to Rocanini Coffee Roasters in the city's Steveston neighbourhood after the manager reported an alleged assault on March 29, according to Richmond RCMP.
Staff said two customers came in, ignored COVID-19 protocols and then became agitated after being asked to move tables. Surveillance video captured drinks being poured on the floor and an object being thrown as a couple was leaving the coffee shop.
Authorities were told racial slurs were uttered during the incident as well.
Ivan Pak, a spokesperson for the Stop Anti-Asian Hate Crimes group, told reporters Wednesday's gathering was intended to send a message that there's no place for hate and racism in Richmond.
"It's a very important message to the community, that hate-crime-related incidents have consequences," Pak said.
While neither the man nor the woman who confronted protesters on Wednesday said their name on camera, the man appears to reference the Rocanini incident during his shouting match with the protesters.
"We took some coffee and we threw it on the floor," he says. "That's our crime … That's got nothing to do with Chinese. That's not racist."
When protesters shout back their allegations of racist remarks made during the incident, the man responds by arguing that his expressed "preference" for non-Chinese people is part of his right to freedom of expression.
"We're not in China," he says. "This is Canada. We have free speech. If we don't like Chinese, we can say it. And I don't like Chinese. And I say it."
Astrid Maria Secreve and Michel Jean-Jacque Berthiaume are each charged with one count of mischief in connection to the March incident in Steveston.
Richmond RCMP initially recommended a mischief charge against one suspect at the beginning of May, prompting outcry from the Stop Anti-Asian Hate Crimes advocacy group.
The group launched an online petition calling for additional charges of inciting hatred and assault in connection with the incident. No such charges have been laid.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Snow-covered bodies of 2 men from Senegal found in New York woods near Canadian border
Two men from Senegal froze to death were found in the snow of a wooded area close to the Canadian border, New York state police said.
For years she thought her son had died of an overdose. The police video changed all that
Austin Hunter Turner died in 2017, on a night that his mother has rewound and replayed again and again, trying to make sense of what happened.
This historical tavern in Toronto is closing after nearly 200 years
An historic downtown Toronto bar is closing its doors next week after nearly 200 years in business.
Vancouver rapper falls on ice during Canucks game performance
The Vancouver Canucks weren’t the only ones who stumbled during Thursday night’s game against the Dallas Stars.
Niagara Region 'proactively' declares state of emergency ahead of total solar eclipse
Niagara Region says it has declared a state of emergency 'out of an abundance of caution' as it prepares for an influx of visitors for next month’s total solar eclipse.
Ontario homeowner on the hook for $27,000 when contractor severed power line
An Ontario man who built a garage on his property has been locked in a battle with his electricity provider for a year and half over a severed power line.
Montreal doctors' breakthrough discovery about causes of cerebral palsy giving hope
A breakthrough discovery made by doctors at the Montreal Children's Hospital about the causes of cerebral palsy is giving new hope to one West Island family.
Feeling older than you are? It could be how you sleep
Not getting enough sleep may cause you to feel five to 10 years older than you really are, according to two new studies.
Social media can alter children's brains and impact mental health: neuroscientist
Neuroscientist Emma Duerden says social media can alter children's brains and have negative impacts on their mental health.