Pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrate during the B.C. NDP convention at the Victoria Conference Centre in Victoria, B.C. onNov. 19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
VICTORIA – A man who allegedly accelerated his car toward a pro-Palestinian protester near the British Columbia legislature earlier this month has been charged with assault and dangerous driving.
Victoria Police say the man is facing one count of assault with a weapon and one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle in charges sworn on Thursday.
Police say the man, who was arrested on Dec. 3 moments after the 2 p.m. incident, remains in custody.
The incident was caught on a video that was circulated on social media, showing a car narrowly missing a protester on the sidewalk.
The driver is then seen arguing with another protester before police intervene to separate them.
British Columbia’s human rights commissioner said in November that the Israel-Hamas war has triggered a rise in violent and discriminatory incidents toward both Jewish and Muslim people in the province.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 15, 2023.
