Syrian refugees pepper sprayed at “welcome Night” in Vancouver

What was supposed to be a welcoming night for new Syrian refugees ended with a pepper spray attack in Vancouver Friday night.

The incident happened on the Kingsway near Victoria Drive around 10:30pm local time on Friday as people were waiting for a bus, CBC news reported.

A large crowd of refugees attending a welcome event at the Muslim Association of Canada Centre in Vancouver were pepper sprayed by an unknown man on a bicycle.

Native Canadian Nawal Addo, 17, was with the refugees when they were attacked.

An announcement from the center said the event was meant to “welcome Syrian families to the Muslim community”.

“They’ve seen enough at home”, she said. “It’s like us as Canadians, we should not be welcoming them in this type of way”, Addo said. But all I know is they’re very upset.

Police say a number of people were treated on scene, but there was no word of any serious injuries.

“An unknown man on a bicycle rode by and pepper-sprayed the group of men, women and children”, said Vancouver police spokesman Sgt. Randy Fincham in a statement.

Police say they are looking for a suspect after more than a dozen Syrian refugees were pepper sprayed.

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took to social media to condemn the attack, as did B.C. Premier Christy Clark and Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson.

The Vancouver Police Department has launched a search for the offender.