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Small group protests sexual interference sentence outside downtown Nanaimo cafe

AladdinB次元官网网址檚 Cafe scene of small protest after owner receives B次元官网网址渨eakB次元官网网址 sentence for sexual interference
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A small group of people lined the edge of the sidewalk on Victoria Crescent Thursday, bearing signs that slammed the owner of AladdinB次元官网网址檚 Cafe.

Members of the group were speaking out against Talal El Bakkar, AladdinB次元官网网址檚 Cafe owner, and what they say was a weak sentence of three months, to be served in prison on weekends, with three yearB次元官网网址檚 probation.

The sentence was handed down by Judge Douglas Cowling, in provincial court in Nanaimo, Nov. 9, when El Bakkar pleaded guilty to sexual interference with a person under 16.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e protesting because we feel that we want a stronger sentence for the crimes that were committed and we also do not like the fact that the restaurant is still being runB次元官网网址次元官网网址 said Amy Savage, one of the protesters.

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Savage went on to say the protest was staged in hopes of gaining media attention and to foster public discussion.

B次元官网网址淚 worry that the community is very angry with whatB次元官网网址檚 been going on and there have been rocks thrown and graffiti and I donB次元官网网址檛 think that is the correct way to go about handling it,B次元官网网址 Savage said. B次元官网网址淏ut I unfortunately worry that the communityB次元官网网址檚 still angry and that itB次元官网网址檚 going to escalate and I feel that something that could help de-escalate whatB次元官网网址檚 going on is to potentially shut down the restaurant.B次元官网网址

The restaurant has been the scene of protests and vandalism in recent weeks. The cafeB次元官网网址檚 front windows were smashed sometime Wednesday night or early Thursday, but was open Thursday afternoon with several customers patronizing the cafe during the protest.

B次元官网网址淟ook what they do to my windows B次元官网网址 My familyB次元官网网址檚 the one that built, pays taxes, creates jobs,B次元官网网址 El Bakkar said. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e all a bunch of welfare cases, you know. All my customers support me. They know who I am. I know who I am. I come from a good family.B次元官网网址

Const. Gary OB次元官网网址橞rien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman, said he was not aware if a complaint about the property damage had been filed with police, but if one had, it will be investigated.

B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 unacceptable,B次元官网网址 OB次元官网网址橞rien said. B次元官网网址淭he courts have decreed their decision and whether people choose to accept it or not, vandalism to property is unacceptable and if the incidentB次元官网网址檚 been reported weB次元官网网址檒l certainly investigate it and hold those people accountable.B次元官网网址



photos@nanaimobulletin.com
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Chris Bush

About the Author: Chris Bush

As a photographer/reporter with the Nanaimo B次元官网网址 Bulletin since 1998.
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