{"id":709829,"date":"2026-06-02T10:37:25","date_gmt":"2026-06-02T10:37:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/709829\/"},"modified":"2026-06-02T10:37:25","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T10:37:25","slug":"police-investigate-vandalism-of-rainbow-crosswalk-in-surrey-b-c-captured-on-video-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/709829\/","title":{"rendered":"Police investigate vandalism of rainbow crosswalk in Surrey, B.C., captured on video"},"content":{"rendered":"

SURREY \u2014 Police in Surrey, B.C., are investigating after video of people vandalizing a rainbow crosswalk was posted on social media over the weekend by the leader of a registered political party.<\/p>\n

Police say they identified three people of interest, and evidence is being gathered to support possible criminal charges, although no arrests have been made.<\/p>\n

Amrit Birring, who is the leader of the Freedom Party of British Columbia, posted video showing him and another man spraying black paint on the crosswalk, while a third waves a placard.<\/p>\n

Birring, who confirmed in an interview that it is him in the video, said in another post that police were called by a \u201cnasty lady,\u201d who wasn\u2019t happy with them putting black lines on the crosswalk.<\/p>\n

Police said officers were sent to Holland Park on Saturday after they were notified of a protest taking place, in which \u201cblack paint was apparently used.\u201d<\/p>\n

Birring said in an interview that he has not been charged with a crime. <\/p>\n

\u201cThey probably will make their strategy because this thing is not as simple as someone doing vandalism. It\u2019s a highly political thing, so they need to treat it carefully as well,\u201d he said of police.<\/p>\n

He said he does not view the act as vandalism.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s sending a message,\u201d he said. \u201cThis is part of activism.\u201d<\/p>\n

Birring has unsuccessfully stood as a candidate in federal and provincial elections and for Surrey\u2019s mayoralty.<\/p>\n

He received 371 votes when he stood in the 2024 provincial election in Surrey-Newton.<\/p>\n

Surrey Pride denounced the vandalism.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is an act of hate and has been reported to the police and mayor\u2019s office,\u201d the group says in a Facebook post.<\/p>\n

Independent Surrey-Cloverdale Legislator Elenor Sturko says in a post on social media platform X that she\u2019s disgusted by the vandalism.<\/p>\n

\u201cVandalism is not protected free speech. As Pride Month begins, I stand in solidarity with the community and condemn hate in all its forms,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 1, 2026.<\/p>\n

The Canadian Press<\/p>\n

\t\tKeep it Factual<\/p>\n

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