Queen Victoria statue vandalized with red paint during protest at BC Legislature
The Victoria Police Department (VicPD) are appealing to witnesses after a statue of Queen Victoria was vandalized during a protest on Friday.
Police said the incident occurred around 2:30 pm on June 11 when a group of people poured red paint on the statue, which is located on the grounds of the BC Legislature
Photos shared on social media show the statue splattered with red paint, with the words “land back” written across its base.
Organized in part by Extinction Rebellion Nanaimo and the BC Coalition for Forestry Reform, the protest was in support of ending old growth logging in the province.
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“The damage to the statue is being assessed,” VicPD said, adding that an investigation has been launched.
“Safe, peaceful and lawful protest is permitted under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Vandalism is not.”
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Investigators are asking for witnesses, or anyone with information on the incident, to contact the VicPD Report Desk at (250) 995-7654 extension 1.
Anonymous tips can be made to Crime Stoppers via 1-800-222-8477.