Vancouver Komagata Maru memorial vandalism investigated as potential hate crime

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The defacing of the Komagata Maru memorial in Vancouver over the weekend is being investigated as a possible hate crime, according to police.

White paint was found splashed across the memorial Sunday, with words and handprints also covering the monument.

“Front-line officers and other specially-trained investigators worked throughout the evening yesterday, and will continue to gather evidence in this disturbing crime,” Sgt. Steve Addison said Monday. “This investigation is a priority, and we are committed to finding out who is responsible and why they did this.”

Very saddened to see the Komagata Maru Memorial defaced with graffiti today.

Handprints all over the names of those who were on the ship. @CitImmCanada@CityofVancouver @marshalederman pic.twitter.com/poTzanBlOw

— Jindi Singh KA (@jindisinghka) August 22, 2021

According to the VPD, an investigation was “immediately launched” after the vandalism was reported. The paint covered many of the names of the people who were aboard the Komagata Maru when it arrived in Vancouver.

The memorial, which sits in the city’s Coal Harbour neighbourhood, is meant to acknowledge a grim chapter in Canada’s past.

In 1914, the Komagata Maru ship was barred from entering the country because of discriminatory and racist laws. The ship, which was carrying more than 370 passengers, including Sikhs, Muslims, and Hindus, from British India was turned away after arriving in the Burrard Inlet.

After the vessel returned to India, many of the passengers were shot and killed, while others were thrown in jail, being labelled as “political agitators.”

“This monument is an important memorial to the people who traveled here seeking a better life and were wrongfully turned away because of racist policies,” added Addison. “It is disheartening that someone could show such disrespect to this important memorial, and we’d like anyone with information to come forward.”

Related video: Komagata Maru Memorial defaced with graffiti

The incident has been described by many as “heartbreaking.”

“To the racist haters/cowards who vandalized Vancouver’s Komagata Maru memorial- you’re still small. You’ll be remembered as losers,” wrote Vancouver Mount Pleasant MLA Melanie Mark on Twitter.

“I’m deeply upset and angry about this ignorant act. My thoughts are with people in BC’s Punjabi community,” added Premier John Horgan. “We must understand our past to build a better future, and the names on this memorial deserve respect.”

Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart also condemned the act, saying “This is disgusting and whoever did this is a coward.”

“This memorial is about the perseverance of a community that has helped to build and shape our city,” he wrote on Twitter. “Nothing can erase that. We will remove the paint and the strength of Indo-Canadians will remain.”

Video posted online Sunday night showed crews were already at work to clean the paint off.

The cleanup has already begun. Thank you to the @CityofVancouver, @ParkBoard, Commissioner Stuart Mackinnon and your teams for cleaning this up in a timely manner. And thanks to @jindisinghka for sharing the graffiti on the #KomagataMaru Memorial. pic.twitter.com/TxTYcn5FDQ

— Naveen (@NaveenGirn) August 23, 2021

Anyone with information about the vandalism is asked to contact the VPD at 604.717.0613.