A Surrey man has been arrested following an investigation into a comment posted on Global BC’s Facebook page.
The comment was posted on a story about Saturday’s Vaisakhi Parade in Surrey, which drew more than 500,000 attendees.
WATCH: Tens of thousands pack Surrey streets for Vaisakhi celebrations
After being made aware of the comment, Global News deleted it and notified RCMP.
Global News is not publishing the deleted comment.
RCMP said a 46-year-old man was arrested Wednesday for public incitement of hatred, and he remains in custody as they continue to investigate.
Police said they will be working with Crown counsel to determine possible charges.
Parade organizer Moninder Singh Bual said seeing the comment posted on a story highlighting a peaceful event was “disturbing.”
“It kind of heightens the anxiety, and some concern and fear definitely did come out after the comment,” he said.
Following the arrest, Surrey RCMP Cpl. Elenore Sturko urged the public to “familiarize themselves with Canada’s laws on hate propaganda.”
Lawyer Ravi Hira said those laws are separate from free speech laws, which do not protect language that’s considered hateful or harmful towards minorities.
“There is a balance between our guaranteed rights of freedom of speech and expression, which are necessary in a functioning democracy, and the crime of trying to hurt an identifiable group and promote hatred,” Hira said.
Anyone with information related to the incident is asked to contact Surrey RCMP or Crime Stoppers if they wish to remain anonymous.
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