‘This isn’t who we are’: Trudeau condemns attack on Syrian refugees
Posted January 9, 2016 12:30 pm.
Last Updated January 9, 2016 6:02 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Call from across the country are condemning an alleged attack on Syrian refugees last night in Vancouver.
Police say they are looking for a suspect after more than a dozen Syrian refugees were pepper sprayed.
The attack happened outside the Muslim Association of Canada Centre during a “welcome night” event for newly arrived Syrian refugees.
City police say a crowd of men, women and children had gathered outside the centre when a man wearing a white hoodie apparently rode by on a bicycle and sprayed 15 to 30 people.
Witnesses said several of those who were hit started coughing and complaining of burning eyes.
Police say a number of people were treated on scene, but there was no word of any serious injuries.
Trudeau wrote on Twitter that “This isn’t who we are – and doesn’t reflect the warm welcome Canadians have offered.”
Meanwhile, the Vancouver Police Department’s Major Crime Section continues to investigate. Police are searching for the man on the bicycle, who is believed to have been wearing a white hooded sweatshirt. Investigators are treating this as a hate-motivated crime until deemed otherwise.
