A far-right political party leader in Canada is facing criminal charges after posting a video of himself defacing an LGBTQ+ rainbow crosswalk.
Amrit Birring, leader of the Freedom Party of British Columbia, posted the video to X on 30 May with the caption: “Save your children from pedophilia.”
The footage shows Birring and another man, identified by police as Errol Povah, using black spray paint to scribble over a rainbow crosswalk in Surrey’s city centre neighbourhood.
The video was soundtracked by Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Fortunate Son”.
Birring then addressed the camera, saying: “You need to stand for your children! Otherwise your children will turn into lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, transgender, queer. Your daughter will marry another girl! It’s up to you to stop it!”
Povah then rejoined the shot.
“Grow some gonads, people,” he said. “Get out here and do stuff like this, because this is tyranny. Not what we’re doing, what the city did. That is tyranny. And when tyranny rules, resistance is duty.”
Pair charged with mischief
The video prompted an investigation by Surrey Police Service.
Police confirmed that on 26 June, the BC Prosecution Service approved Criminal Code charges against Birring, 58, and Povah, 67. Both men were charged with one count each of mischief over $5,000.
Birring later turned himself in at Surrey Police Service headquarters, where he was arrested and released on an undertaking with conditions pending his court date.
Police also said Povah was arrested after allegedly returning to the same crosswalk and defacing it again one day after the charge had been approved.
The crosswalk is located at the intersection of University Drive and Central Avenue in Surrey.
Surrey Pride condemns vandalism
Surrey Pride BC condemned the vandalism in a statement shared at the start of Pride Month.
“Surrey Pride BC stands firmly with our community following the hateful vandalism of the Surrey Central rainbow crosswalk,” the statement read.
“The damage done to this symbol was not simply an act against paint on pavement. The rainbow crosswalk represents thousands of stories, identities, families, and lives that make Surrey the vibrant and diverse city it is today. It is a symbol of belonging, safety, and the promise that everyone deserves to be seen, valued, and respected.”
The organisation said the act was intended to “divide and intimidate”, but instead showed the strength of Surrey’s LGBTQ+ community.
“Every attempt to erase us is met with greater visibility. Every act of hatred is met with deeper solidarity. Every effort to push people into the shadows is answered by people stepping proudly into the light.”
Surrey Pride also thanked city officials for responding quickly.
“Accountability matters,” the group said. “So does community.”
For LGBTQ+ communities, rainbow crosswalks are more than decoration. They are public symbols of safety, visibility and belonging.
Attempts to erase them often have the opposite effect: reminding communities why that visibility matters in the first place.
