Police raid Vancouver home of pro-Palestinian activist facing hate crime probe [Video]

Vancouver police staged a raid Thursday morning at the home of a high-profile pro-Palestinian activist who is currently facing a hate crime investigation.

Neighbours awoke to the sound of a “bang” around 9 a.m., and were surprised to see an armoured police vehicle and heavily-armed members of the Vancouver Police Department’s Emergency Response Team outside the home near 1st Avenue and Victoria Drive.

“I saw what looked like a tank with guys in tactical gear outside aiming a tear gas gun at the house … I feel scared, just because I don’t know what is going on,” said neighbour Juniper, who Global News is not identifying out of concern for her safety.

Global News has identified the unit as the home of Charlotte Kates, the international co-ordinator of the Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, which was recently declared a terrorist entity.

Kates was arrested last spring after lauding Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack …