Bray protesters to be charged

Jeff Bell
Victoria Times Colonist


Charges of assault and mischief have been recommended against protesters who occupied the constituency office of Victoria-Beacon Hill MLA Jeff Bray on Thursday.

In addition, individuals who blocked a police van as it attempted to leave the scene could be facing charges of obstruction, Victoria Police Chief Paul Battershill said Friday.

Battershill said the police response of breaking through the door of the occupied office was taken because of the way the protesters had acted.

Office staff reported incidents of assault when the occupation began, and the protesters set up a barricade and also damaged property inside, he said.

Officers could hear the damage being done before they entered, Battershill said.

Such action by a group of protesters "crosses the threshold," he said, adding that damage found in Bray's Fort Street office was extensive.

Bray said his staff spent part of Friday dealing with the mess that was left.

"My staff's in the office today, just trying to sort out what the damage is, to try and put files back together, things like that."

Dianne Clement, who was working in the office when the protesters arrived, had some bruising from the incident and was seeing a doctor, he said. She was also having her back checked.

"I think, certainly, assault charges will be contemplated," Bray said. "I know I will support my staff either way, no matter what they decide to do. But certainly, having my community staff assaulted is just unacceptable, and we have to make that very clear to people."

Battershill reiterated previous police comments that use of pepper spray after the protesters had been apprehended was a justifiable step.

"They (police officers) were trying to get the vans out and they could see that the crowd was building. They wanted to get out of there to de-escalate it, and (using pepper spray) was the fastest way of doing it."

© Copyright 2002 Victoria Times Colonist

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