Vancouver police ramping up activity for weekend of protests before Oct. 7

The Vancouver Police Department says it’s increasing its presence in a number of areas around the city leading up to the anniversary of the onset of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7.

Speaking to the media Friday morning, VPD Chief Adam Palmer said Vancouver is an epicentre for protests and demonstrations. He explained police are aware of at least 18 events planned for the weekend, and “four of those events are directly related to conflict in the Middle East.”

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Palmer says in the coming days, Vancouverites will see more police officers throughout the city, adding that the VPD will also be working “behind the scenes” to assess potential risks to public safety.

The VPD’s Public Safety Unit, a specialized team trained to manage large crowds and protests, will be deployed throughout the week. 

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“Although we support everybody’s right to peacefully assemble and express themselves,” said Palmer. 

“People who break the law or those who incite violence and hatred will be subject to arrest and criminal charges.”

He said the VPD’s Major Crime Section investigators are ready to investigate hate-motivated incidents and serious crimes, should those occur.

Tactical emergency response officers and uniformed patrol officers will be visible at places of worship across Vancouver, Palmer said, adding that uniformed school liaison officers will be positioned at some faith-based schools during pickup and drop-off times on Oct. 7.

“Whether you’re a person of Jewish or Muslim faith, someone who comes from or has loved ones in the Middle East, or someone who feels impacted by the ongoing crisis. I want you to know that we at the Vancouver Police Department are here to provide a sense of reassurance, calm, comfort, and safety during this difficult time,” said Palmer.

He said members of Vancouver’s Muslim and West Asian communities are reporting increased incidents of Islamophobia, including things like hateful encounters with strangers and hurtful graffiti written on walls of schools and community centres.

In the first 100 days following the events of Oct. 7, 2023, Palmer says the VPD saw a 62 per cent increase in reports of anti-Semitism. He also noted the act of arson at the Schara Tzedeck Synagogue in June and an event earlier this week at which a 34-year-old woman went to hospital after being allegedly knocked to the ground, assaulted, and “subjected to anti-Semitic slurs.”

Palmer said a VPD “mobile command centre” will be stationed through the weekend outside the Jewish Community Centre on Oak Street. 

“These trailers feature 360-degree cameras that record 24 hours a day. Their main function is to deter crime. However, the recordings can be used as evidence if crimes occur,” said Palmer.

According to the VPD, over 300 protests have been held in the city since the war began last year. As well, it says it has spent over $4 million on protest-related events in efforts to protect the community, faith-based schools, synagogues, and mosques.

Palmer says, over the past year, protests, demonstrations, and vigils have drawn large crowds to the city, leading to serious public safety challenges.

“We’ve seen violence, hostility, assaults on police officers and members of the public, and incidents of hate,” he said.

“We have seen disruption to critical infrastructure, including bridges, railway lines, and streets.”

Earlier this week, the CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver said he is disappointed about some of the events planned for Monday.

“I’m taking a deep breath here, because it is very hard to contemplate the value of having a celebration on the day of Oct. 7,” Ezra Shaken said.

When asked how the VPD plans to police demonstrators on opposing sides of the conflict, Palmer repeated the sentiment that the department supports people’s right to gather under lawful assembly and has no tolerance for violence or hate crimes.

“Same way we always have for the last 138 years,” said Palmer.

He explained the VPD is in regular contact with the organizers of protests.

With files from Angela Bower.