Surrey family hurt by racist comments shown in viral video still plead for peace, amidst backlash
Posted June 18, 2020 4:16 pm.
Last Updated June 19, 2020 2:57 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Editor’s Note: The story and video below contains offensive language.
SURREY (NEWS 1130) — A video posted and shared on social media has caused outrage online and even caught the attention of police, but the family who is the target of the video is pleading for peace and hopes others can learn from the incident.
“We never wanted any of this to happen,” says the son of a man who filmed a neighbour hurling racial slurs at his father about his South Asian heritage.
The son reached out to NEWS 1130 after learning police are investigating threats made against the young man caught on video verbally attacking his father.
“We appreciate everyone’s support, but we don’t condone any of the violence or any of the hate,” the son says.
The video, which RCMP urged the family to remove to de-escalate the situation, has been shared thousands of times on other social media platforms.
“It’s gone too far and we want everyone to use this experience to educate yourself about racism,” the son says.
He adds his dad initially did not want him to post the video because he was embarrassed.
In a statement provided to NEWS 1130, the son details the events which had started over where vehicles were parked and concerns from the family regarding how a motorcycle was being driven in the neighbourhood.
In the video taken on May 28, Kayl Riddoch is seen yelling shouting slurs during a confrontation.
“You’re a fucking brown Paki. That’s what you are. Get out of here you fucking brownie. Get out of here.”
Riddoch has since issued an apology on Facebook saying he reacted poorly and out of distress.
“The racist comments I made were out of character and I acknowledge them to be inappropriate and hurtful, no matter what context they were said in.”
For his part, the son writes he’s saddened by words used to discriminate against his father 30 years ago are still being used today.
On Wednesday, Cpl. Elenore Sturko confirmed there weren’t any charges being considered against Riddoch since that did not reach the threshold of a hate crime. But charges may be recommended against people accused of making threats after seeing or sharing the video online.
