'They were labelled as gang associates': Cactus Club apologizes after police called on table of South Asian students
The Cactus Club Cafe has apologized after police were called on a table of South Asian university students at the chain's Coquitlam, B.C., location last weekend.
The company said security personnel had mistakenly identified some of the diners as having been involved in a "serious incident" at another Cactus Club.
“After reviewing the situation, it is clear we made a mistake," the company said in an email. "We recognize how upsetting this experience was for the guests involved. We deeply regret what occurred and offer our unreserved apology.”
Gurpreet Kaur, a relative of one of the students, told CTV News the group was approached by RCMP officers on Saturday night and loudly accused of being gang-affiliated.
"That's a big allegation," Kaur said. "There were other people in the restaurant that were recording them, so they're getting filmed being walked out by police officers."
Another video, which was posted by one of the students on TikTok, shows RCMP speaking with the group after they had been escorted out of the restaurant. One of the students can be heard questioning why they were ejected before anyone had asked for their ID.
"You guys come in, falsely identify us, kick us out of an establishment, embarrass us in front of every single person there, because what? Brown people are dangerous?" he says.
Coquitlam RCMP told CTV News that officers received a call about 12 "unwanted guests" at the restaurant, but stressed that officers were only there to assist Cactus Club security.
Kaur said that explanation doesn't justify the way the students, whom she described as responsible and well-behaved, were treated.
"They weren't being loud, they just went there and placed their orders – no one was drunk or doing anything that should have raised concerns," she said.
They were also split into two groups of six and weren’t mingling between tables, in accordance with COVID-19 rules, according to Kaur.
None of the students want their names or faces publicized as a result of the incident, Kaur added, as they worry about the potential impacts it could have on their future careers. Some already have jobs with the federal government, she said.
"They are still very traumatized by the fact they were labelled as gang associates," she said. "That's their biggest concern, that they can't freely walk around in this country without being labelled as gang-affiliated."
Kaur said a Cactus Club representative called them to apologize, but that the group is considering legal action – not for compensation, but to ensure the same thing doesn't happen to anyone else.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
BREAKING Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.