Victoria police are investigating reports of vandalism, theft and confrontations between opponents and supporters in the wake of Saturday’s protest at the legislature against pandemic health measures.
A smaller group of protesters was back in front of the provincial legislature on Sunday and Monday afternoons. On Monday, about 30 people waved Canadian flags and held signs as they stood on the sidewalk.
Victoria police are looking for a suspect after several vehicles parked at 481 Kingston St. were damaged Saturday during the protest, which at one point police estimated reached 1,500 people.
Officers with the Greater Victoria integrated public safety unit heard from motorists who had parked their vehicles in a lot at 481 Kingston St. Drivers told police they had seen a man damaging vehicles in the lot and had a photograph of him, police spokesman Bowen Osoko said.
Tires, paint and other surfaces were damaged and items were stolen from inside the vehicles, he said. Police would not say whether any of the vandalized vehicles carried indications of their owners’ views on health mandates.
Police searched the area but the man had left, Osoko said.
He is described as Caucasian, 25 to 35 years old with a medium build, short dark-brown hair and green eyes. He was wearing a black bomber jacket and a red t-shirt, wore a gold hoop earring in his right ear and had a noticeable birthmark on the right side of his neck.
Saturday’s protest numbers were down from a similar demonstration the previous Saturday that attracted about 5,000 people. Similar protests have been held across the country, the most visible in Ottawa, where truckers have occupied the city’s capital for over a week.
There were a couple of reports of assaults associated with the protest on Saturday in Victoria. Osoko said police are encouraging people to come forward if they have additional information.
In one protest-related dispute, police received a report early Saturday afternoon of a fight at Douglas and Pembroke streets. One man was arrested and later released on a promise to appear in court next month. He may face charges of assault and mischief under $5,000.
Police are continuing to investigate, Osoko said.
Also on Saturday, an elderly woman staged a one-person counter-protest in the southbound lane of Douglas Street near Hillside Avenue, taking her walker into the street and sitting on it, blocking traffic. Motorists moved to the lane next to the curb on the west side of the street to avoid her.
Osoko said officers told the woman that what she was doing was unlawful and dangerous.
Police escorted the woman to the sidewalk and stood by to make sure she was all right, he said.
Osoko said Victoria police were at the legislature to protect public safety and ensure that everyone’s rights to safe, peaceful and lawful protest, as permitted under Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedom, were protected
Anyone who recognizes the vandalism suspect can call Victoria police at 250-995-7654, extension one. To make an anonymous report, call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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