Investigation ongoing after Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth II statues toppled at Manitoba Legislature
The Winnipeg Police Service said the investigation into two statues that were vandalized following a march against residential schools Thursday afternoon is ongoing.
It happened after demonstrators were at the Manitoba Legislature as part of events honouring the children who died at residential schools.
During this event, a Queen Victoria statue was toppled and covered in red paint. Another statue, one of Queen Elizabeth II, was also toppled.
The head of the Queen Victoria statue was also removed. It was retrieved Friday from the river behind the legislature by a man who happened to come by in a kayak. A worker then carted it away in a golf-cart-sized vehicle.
The chief said at this time, no one has been arrested for the incidents that happened, but he noted there are several cameras on the legislative grounds and police are investigating the situation.
During the news conference, Smyth was asked why police didn't intervene and try to prevent the situation.
"We did not want to further incite the crowd that had gathered. I want to make it clear, I commend our members for our professionalism yesterday and their ability to preserve a safe environment," said Smyth.
He added that some of the officers who were at the scene were also assaulted during that time, saying some were spit on and police vehicles were damaged with rocks and paint.
"This was a delicate situation to balance."
He said it was a small group of people who were involved in destroying the statues and said he heard from Indigenous leaders who said they do not condone the events that happened.
ONE ARRESTED ON LEGISLATURE GROUNDS, NOT BELIEVED TO BE RELATED TO STATUE VANDALISM
One person was arrested on the grounds of the Manitoba Legislative Building on Thursday.
According to the Winnipeg Police Service, Manitoba government security took the person into custody on the suspicion they were damaging vehicles on the legislative grounds.
The person was turned over to Winnipeg police and arrested.
Police Chief Danny Smyth said in a news conference Friday, the person, a 51-year-old man, has since been released from custody and he is expected to be charged with mischief and assault of a peace officer.
Smyth added this arrest happened after the two statues on the legislative grounds were toppled and it isn't believed he was part of taking down the statues.
Police continue to investigate.
-With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
AS IT HAPPENED Wildfire reaches Jasper Wednesday night, causes 'significant loss'
One of two wildfires threatening Jasper National Park reached the townsite Wednesday night and caused 'significant loss.'
Alberta calls in army to assist with wildfire situation
Alberta has called in the Canadian Armed Forces to help assist with the worsening wildfire situation in the province.
Biden explains why he ended re-election bid in Oval Office address
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Norad intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska in apparent first
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying near Alaska Wednesday in what appears to be the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
An unwelcome attendee has joined the Paris Olympic Games: COVID-19
After a handful of Australian water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 this week, questions have emerged around how the spread of the disease will be mitigated at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Vacations, meals, booze: Contractor used $100K of charity's money for personal expenses, B.C. court finds
A B.C. man who was hired to help a non-profit build a food hub but instead spent the money on personal expenses – including travel, restaurants, booze and cannabis – has been ordered to pay more than $120,000 in damages.
Male, female killed, 2 others injured in 'gun battle' outside Toronto plaza: police
Two people are dead and two others suffered serious injuries following a shooting that police have described as a 'gun battle' outside a plaza in Scarborough, Ont. early Wednesday morning.