The Canada Palestine Association strongly condemned the excessive police brutality the Vancouver police exhibited against local pro-Palestine activist Charlotte Kates, a director of the Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network. 

The Samidoun network was recently blacklisted as a terrorist organization in Canada and the United States. Kates was also previously detained and charged with "hate speech" offenses in May.

The condition for her release was for her not to take part in any "protests, rallies or assemblies" until her court date of October 8, which was triggered by her stance of supporting the right of Palestinians to resist "Israel" and for saying "Long Live October 7" during a rally speech on April 26, the statement wrote. 

However, Kates was arrested again on November 14 under claims of a "hate crime investigation" launched by the Vancouver police force, after a search warrant was issued for her home in Victoria Drive. 

Kates' neighbor expressed the neighborhood's fear as police officers, who arrived at the location in an armored vehicle and full tactical gear, raided her home and broke a window at 9 am on Thursday. 

"I've lived next to them for three years, and they're absolutely lovely people. They're just fighting for rights for people... I don't think they're dangerous or terrorists by any means," another neighbor said. 

Canadian press is reporting a raid by Vancouver police on the home of Samidoun’s Charlotte Kates on Thursday, executed by agents in tactical gear, who used a stun grenade, pointed a tear gas gun at the home, and broke windows in the process. pic.twitter.com/EmqlOeO7bS

— Camila (@camilapress) November 15, 2024

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VPD: Despicable, disrespectful, and incompetent

In light of the events, the Canada Palestine Association said it was "appalled and outraged" by the actions displayed by the Vancouver Police Department, demanding clear answers from the department chief and the town mayor "regarding this ridiculous ramping up of intimidation of pro-Palestine advocates."

The association further asked both addressees in its letter to justify the police's need to show up in full tactical gear to search one house where Kates lived with her husband. "Are you trying to convince others that those who support Palestine are dangerous and thus require this over-the-top repression?" the statement read. 

According to the statement, the VPD demonstrated that it is rapidly resorting to the "most despicable tactics," revealing its incompetence and disregard for the fundamental rights of individuals.

The local Palestinian community will not forget this incident (along with previous ones) that have exposed the anti-Palestinian racism ingrained within the administration, the association warned. 

Germany disbands Samidoun for 'anti-semitism'

Germany has taken similar steps in support of "Israel", disbanding Samidoun last year for its advocacy of Palestinian rights.

Samidoun, also known as the Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, works to support and advocate for thousands of Palestinian prisoners held captive in Israeli prisons. Faeser claims that the organization is spreading anti-semitic propaganda.

German authorities have obscured the clear distinction between anti-semitism and anti-zionism. 

Also, in 2022, German state media Deutsche Welle (DW) went on an Israeli-sponsored media purge, dismissing several employees for expressing pro-Palestinian opinions.

Read more: Canada: an apologist state for the Israeli occupation