Mischief charge laid in Komagata Maru memorial defacing

A man who allegedly defaced Vancouver's KomagataMaru memorial in Coal Harbour has been charged with one count of mischief.

Vancouver police saythe B.C. Prosecution Service approvethe chargeagainst 39-year-old Yuniar Kurniawanon Monday, and there is now a provincewide warrant for his arrest.

In August 2021, the memorialwas vandalized with white paint and white hand prints.

"This crime reverberated throughout the community because of what this memorial reveals about our past and the steps we have taken to become a more inclusive community," said Vancouver Police DepartmentspokespersonSgt. Steve Addison.

TheKomagataMarusteamship was held at anchor inCoal Harbour for two months after arriving in Vancouver in 1914.

Nearly all of the 376 of the mostly Sikh passengers who were seeking asylum were denied entryto Canada in what the Canadian government has acknowledged was a racist act.

The ship was ultimatelyforced to return to India, where it was met by British soldiers. Twentypassengers were killed when a riot ensued, and others were jailed.

The memorial, which includes the names of the passengers,was installed in 2012.

Police became aware of the defacing after photos were posted on social media. It's not the first time the memorial has been vandalized.

TheDescendants of the Komagata Maru Society said in a statement Thursday that the defacing of memorials brings backpainful memories of intolerance and racism, and the group isthankfulto the Vancouver police for pursuing the person responsible.

"The memorials we build for those who have suffered from racism are very special places that should be treated with respect by all Canadians," read the statement in part.