Hate crime investigation launched in assault at Take Back the Night: Hamilton police

Hamilton police are investigating an assault that took place at a march against gender-based violence as a potential hate crime.

Officers were present at the Take Back the Night march in the downtown core around 8:25 p.m. Thursday when they were approached by multiple women reporting that a man had assaulted one of the participants.

Investigators say that the suspect attempted to grab the victim’s sign and when he was unsuccessful, he assaulted the victim.

I am uploading this video as there will not likely be mainstream media coverage of it. I was attacked at the @SACHAhamont Take Back The Night march tonight in #HamOnt @CityofHamiton. Thank you to SACHA for their support #TBTN

The man goes directly for our sex work banner, rips… pic.twitter.com/JujBPcsCr3

— TS Jelena Vermilion – FULLY VACCINATED x5 MPx2 (@IsisIntrepid) September 22, 2023

In a video shared by the victim to social media, the man can be seen ripping the banner that read “Decriminalize sex work” and “Rights not rescue” out of the hands of Jelena Vermilion, an advocate for sex work.

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Vermilion can then be seen pursuing the man before violently falling to the ground and being dragged while holding on to the banner.

Chants of “Who keeps us safe? We keep us safe!” could be heard in the crowd as a police siren approached the scene.

During Take Back the Night (TBTN) last night, our friend Jelena (@IsisIntrepid)of SWAP Hamilton (@swaphamilton) was assaulted during the march against sexual violence.

1/6 pic.twitter.com/8GR4tOVZZH

— SACHA (@SACHAhamont) September 23, 2023

Police say the 29-year-old man who remains unnamed at this time has been charged with level one assault and the incident is currently being reviewed by the hate crime unit.

The annual Take Back the Night event is hosted by Hamilton’s sexual assault centre, SACHA.

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In a statement released following the incident, SACHA says the march is held each year to “raise awareness about how unsafe streets are for so many in our communities” and “to resist, to mobilize and fight for spaces where we can be safer and thrive.”

Mayor Andrea Horwath commented on the assault, saying the march is “all about ensuring women’s safety” and that there is “clearly much more work that needs to be done.”

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact police at 905-546-4725.

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