Three youths arrested for vandalism at Vancouver climate rally

The trio, a 20-year-old man and two 16 and 18-year-old women, were arrested for mischief around 5 p.m. after paint was stained on the windows and walls of the office.

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Police arrested three people Friday for allegedly vandalizing an office tower in downtown Vancouver during a climate protest.

The trio, a 20-year-old man and two 16 and 18-year-old women, were arrested for mischief around 5 p.m. after paint was stained on the windows and walls of the office. They were taken to Vancouver jail and later released pending court appearances.

About 250 people had gathered outside the Government of Canada offices on Burrard Street and West Hastings.

“The VPD supports the right of protesters to peacefully assemble and express their views,” said Vancouver Police Sgt. Steve Addison in a statement Friday night. But “we will not stand aside when people decide to violate the law or damage property.”

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In a separate statement, a group called Climate Convergence said the arrests were “unjustified” and that protesters followed the officers who arrested them to jail to demand that the three young men be released.

“The organizers tried to negotiate with the VPD for his release,” said Alison Bodine of Climate Convergence. “After all, the ceremony was peaceful and was done with washable paint.”

Reference-vancouversun.com

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