Vancouver rioters taken to public shaming

[Galaki]

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A security guard looks at a rioter as he tries to kick in the glass of the store front in downtown Vancouver June 15, 2011. (CARMINE MARINELLI/QMI AGENCY)

Vancouver rioters take beating in social media

By STEPHANIE IP QMI Agency

VANCOUVER - Angry Vancouverites have taken public shaming to extremes, with thousands of people posting photos – and, in some cases, personal information – of suspected rioters.

By late Sunday, a Facebook page devoted to outing people on video or photos during Wednesday’s downtown melee reached 100,000 ‘likes.’

Another forum created a name index of hundreds people it claims are involved.

The frenzy, however, has led to concern, especially as the family of one admitted young rioter reported they’d received death threats.

“We’re discouraging people from posting things to public websites,” said David Eby, of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association, who cautioned against vigilante justice.

Even before Wednesday night’s riots were under control, Vancouver’s police department urged people to send photos to authorities.

The next day, Premier Christy Clark, while encouraging the same, also vowed to ensure those involved could not hide.

“I promise you this, you won’t be able to live in anonymity...,” Clark told the media.

It seems citizens are heeding her words.

After photos emerged of Nathan Kotylak holding a lighter to a rag shoved inside the gas tank of a police car, the elite athlete and high school student made a public apology.

According to Kotylak’s lawyer, the family has since fled their home due to death threats.

Another young man shown on video lighting the first vehicle on fire, is said to have resigned from his job at Vision Electronics in Port Coquitlam, B.C.

Assistant manager R.J. Valia said the Burnaby, B.C., store has since received threats.

“We have got e-mails and phone calls from customers saying, ‘We’re not going to shop with Visions because you employed such a person',” he said.

Vancouver police, however, insist their call for information hasn’t incited vigilantism.

Const. Lindsey Houghton said: “We can’t control what they do with social media.”