Calgary police encouraged by witnesses coming forward in recent hate crime investigations
Calgary police are searching for a man they believe was involved in a hate-motivated crime Tuesday, one of many being investigated in Alberta in recent weeks.
Just before noon Tuesday, police say a good Samaritan witnessed a man verbally berating a Muslim woman who was wearing a burka and her children at the intersection of 6 Avenue and 8 St S.W.
Police are hoping to speak to the victim who hasn’t filed a report and now searching for a white man, around 50 years old, who was wearing a turquoise-colour shirt and white hat.
Constable Craig Collins, the hate crimes coordinator of the Calgary Police Service says they recognize the lasting emotional impacts these types of events have and are committed to investigating all allegations of hate-motivated incidents.
“There isn’t an increase in hate crimes in Calgary but there is a greater increase in public awareness,” he said. “People are feeling more confident to come forward.”
This is the second high profile incident of this kind in Calgary in the last month where a witness has come forward, something Collins is encouraged by.
“I want to applaud those citizens that do come forward. As a police service we can’t keep every Calgarians safe without the help from our community.”
Police also laid charges against a man last month in what police are calling a hate crime, after a truck driver was recorded yelling profanities, threats and derogatory comments and tore a windshield wiper off a victim’s vehicle.
There have also been a number of incidents in Edmonton, including the discovery of a swastika on a mosque, as well as an attack on a Muslim woman mid-June.
A swastika was found painted on a mosque, it's not clear how long it's been there. Tuesday June 15, 2021 (CTV News Edmonton)
'NOT SURPRISED'
Dr. Pallavi Banerjee is an associate professor in the department of Sociology at the University of Calgary and said Albertans can no longer be surprised by these incidents.
“I’m frustrated and infuriated but I’m not surprised as Canada has a history of hate crimes against Muslims,” she said. “I think we need to stop projecting this innocence and say that we are not a very welcoming nation to minorities, to Indigenous people, and we start there and we correct ourselves instead of expressing shock at these events.”
Banerjee said there is a number of reasons we may be seeing these type of crimes recently, including the pandemic.
“We are at a moment of historic global crisis with the pandemic and historically whenever there is a external factor like the pandemic - which is not external, it’s happening globally - but it is a crisis and it’s effecting people, when it affects people in a way ideologies around white nationalist and white supremacy and racist and racist ideologies show up right?”
Anyone with information on any of these incidents is asked to contact police at 403-266-1234. Anonymous tipsters can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online or by using the P3 Tips app available at Apple or the Google Play Store
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.