UPDATE: Michael Williams has been found guilty of assault and given a suspended sentence and one year probation in court this morning.
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A 53-year-old Vancouver man has been charged in relation to an alleged assault at the New Democrat West End MLA office on Feb. 21.
Michael Melvin Williams was charged earlier today with assault and mischief under $5,000.
Just before 12 p.m. a man, who was intoxicated, came into the office and became involved in an argument with a staff member.
According to NDP MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert, the man began expressing hatred towards the rainbow flag hoisted at the community centre across the street and the one in his office. The rainbow flag typically is used as a sign of diversity and inclusiveness but is most widely known as representing gay pride.
“He shouted homophobic slurs at my constituency assistant, punched a hole in my office door, and then assaulted him,” Herbert said.
WATCH: Herbert speaks to BC1 about the incident:
Police arrived quickly and found Williams standing on the sidewalk and arrested him without incident.
Herbert says he and his assistant, who is recovering from the incident, were both shaken and shocked by the attack.
“It’s obviously very disturbing that even here, in the West End, which is regarded as probably B.C.’s home of gay rights, the centre of the fight for equality, that even here in a community office, a neighbour felt it was OK to come in, spread his hate, attack a government worker and attack a government office for our support of equality and for our support of human rights,” said Herbert.
Williams next court appearance is on April 4.
WATCH: Homophobia in Vancouver as discussed on Unfiltered with Jill Krop:
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