VicPD seeking information after Captain Cook statue torn down

Victoria Police are seeking information after a statue of a British explorer was pulled down and thrown into the water Thursday night.

According to Police, a group of people on July 1 ripped down the statue of explorer Captain James Cook just after 8:30 p.m., tossing it into Victoria’s inner harbour and painting the mount with red paint.

Wooden red dresses were also placed on and around the mount after the statue was removed.

Following the incident, the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) said that while the statue wasn’t placed by them, they are the owners and have plans to meet with their First Nations Economic Development Committee later in July to decide the future of the space.

“The future of this space will be decided between our organization and the Esquimalt Nation and Songhees Nation and we will communicate places for it when the discussion is concluded,” said Brian Cant of the GVHA in an email statement to CHEK News.

The GVHA also wrote in the statement they “do not condone vandalism of public or private property” and will support VicPD in their investigation.

“Safe, peaceful and lawful protests are permitted under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Property damage is not,” said a press release from VicPD Friday.

VicPD asks if anyone has information or video of the incident to call the VicPD Report Desk at 250-995-7654 or Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

More to come.

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