Chiefs seek investigation of pepper spray incident

Thursday, July 5, 2007  

The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs is calling for an investigation into the pepper spraying of members of the Sechelt First Nation, including children and infants, by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

On Monday night, RCMP officers sprayed a group of tribal members who were celebrating the victory of two youth teams at a soccer tournament in Vancouver. The driver of a pickup truck was arrested.

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip said there was "no possible excuse" for the RCMP to pepper spray children and infants. A total of 15 people, including children under two years old, were treated for pepper burns.

RCMP Staff Sgt. Brad Zalys apologized for pepper spray hitting the children but said his officers were justified. He said the crowd that was celebrating the youth teams became unruly. Some tribal members took videos of the incident.

Get the Story:
RCMP apologizes for B.C. pepper spray incident (CBC 7/5)
B.C. native leaders call for independent investigation (CBC 7/4)

$rl Union of BC Indian Chiefs - http://www.ubcic.bc.ca

Police pepper spray First Nation celebration (7/3)