Vancouver activist appears on Iranian TV months after rally arrest
CTV
A B.C. activist has appeared on Iranian state television months after an investigation into hate speech during a Vancouver rally.
A B.C. activist has appeared on Iranian state television months after an investigation into hate speech during a Vancouver rally.
Charlotte Kates, the international co-ordinator for Samidoun, appeared on Iranian TV this month. She is said to have been in Tehran to accept an Islamic Human Rights and Human Dignity Award.
According to the group Samidoun, Kates was one of several international figures honoured on Aug. 4.
Kates spoke to Iranian newscasters about her arrest in Vancouver following statements she made during a pro-Palestinian rally outside of the Vancouver Art Gallery this spring. At the event, she called the Hamas members who attacked Israeli civilians and took hostages last Oct. 7 “resistance fighters” and “heroes” while also chanting “long live Oct. 7.”
The terrorist attack killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, setting off Israel's offensive in Gaza, which the local Health Ministry recently said has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians.
CTV News has reached out to Samidoun for a comment and an interview with Kates, but has yet to hear back.
Iranian international English journalist Negar Mojtahedi has been following Kates’ trip to Tehran and says a few attendees of the award ceremony should raise eyebrows.
