A Downtown Eastside resident who urinated the Komagata Maru Memorial in downtown Vancouver has apologized.
The unidentified man issued a formal apology on Wednesday, reading as follows:
“I am sorry for what I did that day at the monument. I didn’t want to hurt anyone.”
Vancouver Police said in a press conference Thursday that the man is an illicit drug user and a “severely addicted mentally ill person.”
“This person needs the health system, not the justice system,” says Police Chief Jim Chu.
Get breaking National news
Chu says there was not enough evidence to lay a criminal charge. Instead, a bylaw ticket was issued. Chu says the man will not have to pay the ticket if he cannot afford it.
Mayor Gregor Robertson called the incident troubling.
“The desecration and vandalism of the monument was disgusting and disgraceful, clearly performed by someone who had no idea what they were doing. The connection to someone with severe mental illness makes it a difficult challenge for us to navigate.”
Several South Asian leaders were in attendance at today’s press conference at the Vancouver Police headquarters. They say they accept the man’s apology.
Watch: VPD hold a press conference Thursday afternoon addressing the case
Comments