Refugees pepper-sprayed
It happened outside the Muslim Association of Canada on Kingsway, where the welcome event had taken place, at about 10:30 p.m. The refugees were waiting for a bus when the man rode by on a bike and pepper sprayed the refugees and others who were with them. Some of the victims were children.
The refugees ran back inside the building and CBC reporters Rafferty Baker and Karin Larson reported some were unaware what had happened. Paramedics and Vancouver Fire Rescue were called and the victims were treated on-site.
Ammar Ramadan, who is helping welcome the refugees to Canada, told the CBC that one man could not see for 20 minutes afterwards and the pepper spray was so strong some children became “unconscious.”
They were waiting on the bus, Ramadan said, when suddenly “people are running and screaming, everyone’s dashing inside. A bunch of kids were crying. I was a little confused as to what was happening.”
Police investigating
The Vancouver Police Department is investigating and say a man who was on a bike and wearing a white hoodie is being sought. The VPD did not speculate on a motive but ask that anyone with information on the incident contact them.
The pepper-spraying event is in contrast to numerous welcoming gestures and acts that Syrian refugees have experienced since they began arriving in the Lower Mainland in November. Many organizations and individuals have contributed to helping settle the newcomers that have come so far.
