Police investigating 'hate-motivated mischief' at Ottawa bikers' church
Ottawa police say they are investigating an incident of "hate-motivated mischief" at a Vanier church, discovered three hours before a service was held as part of the "Rolling Thunder" biker rally.
Police received a call about the incident at the Capital City Bikers' Church on Carillon Street just before 7 a.m. Sunday.
CTV News Ottawa’s Colton Praill reported thumbtacks were strewn across the ground in the church’s alley, and someone spray-painted, "No haven for fascism" on one of its walls.
Pastor Rob McKee didn’t mention the graffiti or thumbtacks at the church in a Facebook live post at 6:30 a.m., but the graffiti was visible on the walls of the church behind him. McKee also didn't mention the graffiti during the hour-long service, but did say it was "church as usual."
Church members spent the morning picking the tacks off the ground. The thumbtacks were cleaned up just after 9:30 a.m.
“It’s extremely insulting,” Kimberley McGrath told The Canadian Press. "I had to let it brush off my shoulders, but for a lot of people it is traumatizing and it's hurtful."
Worshippers and “Rolling Thunder” supporters packed the church for the “bikers’ church service” Sunday morning, the final scheduled event of the weekend.
The Ottawa Police Hate and Bias Crime Unit is investigating.
Mayor Jim Watson says the graffiti on the church’s wall is “not acceptable.”
“The defacing of any public property, particularly a church, is just reprehensible,” Watson told CTV News on Sunday. “If there’s camera footage and we can identify them then obviously the police will charge them with vandalism and potentially a hate crime."
The Capital City Bikers' Church hosted a bikers church service at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday. It was the final scheduled event for the Rolling Thunder Ottawa event.
The church in Ottawa's Vanier neighbourhood, just east of the downtown core, was supportive of the Freedom Convoy protest in Ottawa in January and February, including providing meals to participants.
On Saturday, Interim Chief Steve Bell told CTV News Ottawa there had been no reports of vandalism or property damage downtown during the weekend event. There have also been no reports of injuries.
Ten people have been arrested so far this weekend.
With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.