RCMP say one person associated with a protest camp at Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, B.C., was arrested and released following an alleged arson and assault at a neighbouring property, with a promise not to return to the area.
Staff Sgt. Kris Klark says the incident was reported to police Sept. 22, shortly after officers arrived with members of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to enforce warrants related to the planned cull of a flock of more than 300 ostriches due to the discovery of avian flu on the farm in December.
The farm, which is located nearly 100 kilometres east of Kelowna, has been fighting the cull order in court, amassing a large contingent of supporters who view the order as an example of government overreach, some of whom have been associated with previous movements such as the Freedom Convoy.
The farm’s spokesperson, Katie Pasitney, has repeatedly posted Facebook videos urging supporters to remain peaceful, and issued a video Wednesday condemning the alleged incident.
“We do not condone violence of any kind so please, if you are one of those people, you are not part of this,” she said.
While police say the protests have been largely peaceful, they also acknowledge they have received reports from neighbours and businesses believed to be supporting the cull receiving threats of violence.
Clark says the suspect was associated with the protest camp at Universal Ostrich Farms. They were arrested without incident and released on conditions, which include not going to the property and not having any contact with the victim.
Pasitney has spoken out against the threats in a video posted to social media, saying she had heard instances of children and families being threatened.
On Wednesday she posted a video acknowledging the reported assault and arson.
“Mainstream media is loving this,” she said in reference to reports of the incident.
In the video and a subsequent interview with CBC News, she described getting up the morning of Sept. 22 and seeing dozens of police cars headed down the road, causing fear among her and her supporters.
But, she said, her message for the past 10 months has been very clear: “no violence, no anger, no hate speech,” and anyone who violates those rules, she said, is “asked to leave immediately because we just don’t condone that.”
“Our hearts go out to our neighbour for what happened,” Pasitney said, adding she and other allies supported police efforts.
“The minute we found out who it was, that person was arrested, they were detained, they were removed and that person has never been back.”
In one video livestreamed on Facebook from the farm shortly after the alleged assault, RCMP officers are seen approaching a group of supporters asking for information about the suspect. One person offers up video they had taken on their phone, which can be seen to have an image of a person dressed in black, with their face obscured and carrying a gas canister, while someone screams in the background.
The farm’s supporters say they do not know who the person is and they “do not represent us.”
In the post’s caption and comments, it is suggested that the suspect is “an antifa looking figure” and that the incident is a “set up,” to make the farm look bad.
In her video, Pasitney says “this happened at the trucker convoy,” apparently a reference to the belief held by some that outside or fringe elements of the protests in Ottawa against COVID-19 measures stirred up instances of violence in order to make the entire movement look bad.
Clark said while there has been a significant increase in supporters over the past week-and-a-half, and “a couple of incidents” police have had to deal with, “overall the protest has been peaceful,” with very little need for police involvement.
Police are investigating an incident in which bales of hay surrounding the enclosure where the ostriches are being held were lit on fire, and they have launched investigations into two separate incidents where two ostriches have been killed, allegedly after being shot.
Some other neighbours and businesses have spoken out about their fears, saying they have been confronted by Universal farm supporters.
Pasitney has encouraged supporters to reach out to businesses believed to be providing services for the CFIA while the agency attempts to carry out the cull, posting contact information for hotels, vehicle rental services and other companies.
“If we think that there’s a business that’s involved, that is providing something to kill … and you want to call them and inspire them and say, ‘Did you know what you are doing and we ask you to not be part of it,’ that’s one thing. Threatening anybody, it is not OK,” she said in a Sept. 24 video.
One company she has named is Surrey-based Nucor Environmental Solutions, which denies having any involvement in the cull. Despite this, the company says its employees have received multiple threats of violence against them and their families.
On Wednesday, the CFIA also released a statement reminding supporters that it is “an offence to obstruct or hinder an analyst, inspector or officer,” who is performing their job and that “any such actions may result in enforcement measures or prosecution.”
“The CFIA is aware of on-line campaigns encouraging supporters of the ostrich farm to deliberately tie up the Agency’s phone lines and resources by falsely requesting inspection services. Such disruptive actions are not only irresponsible, but they risk significantly hindering the CFIA’s ability to respond promptly to genuine calls,” the statement reads.
Pasitney has regularly described those gathered at the farm as “peace loving,” and described a family-friendly atmosphere. Concerts and barbecues have been held at the property over the course of the past several months.
However, with the CFIA now taking control of the property while awaiting a court decision on whether the cull can move forward, tensions have risen both on the property and in the online rhetoric associated with the movement to save the ostriches.
In several videos from the farm and its supporters, the CFIA is accused of agitating the birds and failing to properly care for them.
In her interview with CBC News, Pasitney says the CFIA has refused to communicate except via email and has been failing to follow their protocols, with one bird being injured.
In its Wednesday statement, the CFIA said since it took control of the farm and care of the ostriches, a bird with a pre-existing condition affecting its left leg was identified, and that one of the bird’s owners had been allowed to visit.
“The farm owners have not provided the CFIA with information about their current veterinarian of record who may have previously examined the bird and provided treatment recommendations,” the statement reads. “If requested, the CFIA will authorize a licensed private veterinarian acting on behalf of the farm to examine the bird.”
The statement says another bird with a pre-existing foot injury has also been identified but it is active and not in need of treatment.
“The other birds are continuing to be fed and watered with no signs of agitation or stress related to CFIA inspectors as care givers. As requested by the farm, the CFIA will continue to use feed from the farm’s regular supplier,” the statement says.
