Vandals deface rainbow crosswalk in Surrey, post video to social media
Published 9:50 am Monday, June 1, 2026
Vandals spray-painted black lines on a rainbow crosswalk in Surrey over the weekend.
Video posted to social media shows two men defacing the “pride” colours of the intersection near Holland Park, at Old Yale Road and University Drive.
“When tyranny becomes law resistance becomes your duty,” are words shown over the video, posted May 30 on the Facebook page of Amrit Birring, self-described “defender of freedom” and candidate in the last B.C. election in the Surrey-Newton riding.
Photos of police officers who came to investigate were also posted on the page.
Surrey Pride founder Martin Rooney calls it “a premeditated hate attack” and “an affront to equality and public property.”
The organization says it is aware of video circulating of two individuals vandalizing the crosswalk, which was pressure-washed by city crews Monday morning.
“This is an act of hate and has been reported to the police and Mayor’s office,” says a post on Surrey Pride’s Facebook page.
“The individuals involved want us to react and help spread their video so we will NOT be sharing and ask that you do not help them spread their hate.”
Sher Pride president Annie Ohana said Pride Month begins with a reminder that Pride started as a protest and continues today as a joyful act of resistance.
“We at Sher Pride want to express our full support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community following the hate crime committed at the Surrey Central rainbow crosswalk,” Ohana said in an email sent to the Now-Leader.
“The spray paint that desecrated the powerful and unifying symbol of the Intersex-Inclusive Progress Pride Flag is a sad reminder that hatred and violence toward the 2SLGBTQIA+ community still exist. We are grateful that this crime is being investigated and that the City of Surrey is taking the matter seriously.”
Ohana said while the vandalism “was intended to create fear, it has done anything but that.
“We rise as a rainbow community more determined than ever to live joyful, safe, and proud lives,” Ohana stated. “We stand in resistance to anyone who seeks to erase our rights and our humanity. We stand in resilience—in surviving, thriving, and building community against all odds. We know that the rainbow crosswalk will make a triumphant and beautiful return. More importantly, we know that our rights to be our authentic selves will continue to be defended, celebrated, and expanded. Yes, it may sound cliché, but love will win. So it’s time to pick up those paintbrushes—we’ve got some painting to do. In full joyful resistance, Happy Pride.”