CALGARY – Police have charged a 66-year-old Calgary man following a disturbing incident at an election forum in the city’s northwest.
A man wearing a confederate bandana over his face entered the Tuscany Club at around 10 p.m. on Thursday while a debate was being held for candidates in the riding of Calgary Rocky Ridge.
Police spokesperson Kevin Brookwell said Friday that the man began exchanging heated words with staff in an apparent protest of the niqab, indicating that he was there to make a point and threatening the building’s custodian.
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Staff escorted the man out of the venue, shut down the building and called 911.
“We all felt very scared,” said Liberal candidate Nirmala Naidoo. “This was a place where people came to get information about all the candidates. It’s a place where families were.”
“He was kind of aggressive,” said witness Kara Levis. “It’s really concerning, really concerning to have been in that situation where there were so many member of the public and so many children… and that there could have been something bad that happened.”
Police found the man in a nearby vehicle and took him into custody.
On Friday, Wayne Joseph Fillo with uttering threats and wearing a disguise with intent.
Brookwell said given the nature of the incident, a hate crime co-coordinator will be investigating.
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With files from Bindu Suri, Sarah Offin and Erika Tucker
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