Woman caught making racist rant in Richmond won't face charges—but commenters possibly could
When a video of a woman yelling racist insults at another woman in Richmond was uploaded online last week, commenters reacted with condemnation in outrage at her behaviour and the incident made international headlines.
Although an RCMP investigation was launched into the incident, RCMP are warning the public that some of the comments made online could potentially see others face charges.
Richmond RCMP received a complaint on August 23 about a video posted on social media that captured an incident at a Richmond parking lot.
The profanity-laden video depicted a white woman, identified by news reports as Carla Waldman, telling an Asian woman to go back to China and calling her racist slurs and other insults.
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RCMP launched an investigation and contacted both parties involved.
"In order to ensure the integrity of the investigation and privacy of the individuals involved, we are asking the public to respect the investigative process and refrain from posting any comments on social media," Richmond RCMP Insp. Sunny Parmar had stated in an August 24 news release.
It was a request that went largely ignored as online commenters inundated Waldman, who told CBC News that she's not racist, with criticism.
Today (August 27), Richmond RCMP stated that the incident does not meet the requirements for a criminal charge.
“While we understand the contents of the video and interaction is disturbing and troubling, in consultation with the BC Prosecution Service it has been determined that this matter will not proceed to criminal charges,” the Richmond RCMP news release states.
However, Richmond RCMP pointed out that some of the responses that have been expressed on social media could potentially be considered criminal in nature.
"We can appreciate that the community here in Richmond and the extended community online feels strongly about comments made in the video, but we would certainly not wish for anyone to cross the line from spirited conversation to criminal cyberbullying,” Insp. Parmar stated. “We must respect this individual is still entitled to due process and has a reasonable expectation of personal privacy."
