Two men charged after alleged vandalism of Surrey pride crosswalk

Surrey Police say two men have been arrested and charged following an investigation into two separate incidents in which a 2SLGBTQ+ pride crosswalk in Surrey’s City Centre neighbourhood was allegedly vandalized.

The first incident occurred on May 30, 2026, at about 3:48 p.m., when frontline officers responded to reports that the rainbow-coloured crosswalk at Old Yale Road and University Drive had been spray-painted during a protest. Police identified three suspects, with the investigation led by Surrey Police frontline officers, assisted by the Major Crime Section and the Hate Crime Coordinator.

As a result of the investigation, the BC Prosecution Service approved one count of mischief over $5,000 against 58-year-old Amrit Birring and 67-year-old Errol Povah on June 26.

The leader of Freedom Party of British Columbia ,Birring later turned himself in at Surrey Police headquarters, where he was arrested and released on an undertaking with conditions pending his court appearance. Povah was arrested in Vancouver on July 3 and was also released with conditions.

Police say the same pride crosswalk was allegedly defaced again on June 27 at approximately 11:30 a.m. As a result, prosecutors approved a second count of mischief over $5,000 against Povah on July 3.

Surrey Police continue to investigate and are asking anyone with information about either incident to contact the non-emergency line at 604-599-0502, quoting file numbers 26-54029 (SP) or 26-65989 (SP).