Kelowna RCMP is investigating after public outcry over a video showing a well-known anti-vaccine protester unleash a racist tirade against a security guard at the vaccination clinic at Trinity Church on Springfield Road.
“The original complaint was that protestors were impeding access to the clinic,” says Cpl. Jocelyn Noseworthy of the Kelowna RCMP. “Officers attended, spoke with staff, and dealt with the protestors. No arrests were made at that time.”
Since then, a video showing the man yelling racist comments at the security guard has received a lot of attention, sparking outrage in the community.
The video published by InfoNews showed the man, Bruce Orydzuk, yelling at the South Asian security guard for trying to get the protesters to move along.
"You're not a Canadian, you are disgusting. Go back to your country," Orydzuk repeated several times.
“We are now investigating this incident through the lens of the willful promotion of hatred under Section 319 of the Criminal Code,” says Cpl. Noseworthy. “Racism has no place in our community, and I want to reassure the public that this matter is being given the full attention of our General Investigative Support Team in consultation with the Provincial Hate Crimes Unit.”
Anyone who witnessed this confrontation and has not spoken to police is asked to contact the Kelowna RCMP at (250) 762-3300.
Premier John Horgan has condemned the incident on Twitter.
This is vile, racist behaviour. If this is how you treat people, you are the problem.
— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) July 15, 2021
Racism is a scourge and we must stand together against it to build a better province. https://t.co/9vySVQH0aG
