Maple Ridge Times - September 20, 2010

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Tuesday, September 21, 2010 Meadow Ridge Knights saw lots of action this weekend.

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ary Annivers 1985-2010

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Debate on rave spreads on-line

TRADITIONS ❚ Time for a Feast

by Jeremy Shepherd editorial@mrtimes.com

The 16-year-old girl who was allegedly gang-raped at a Pitt Meadows rave on Sept. 10 has received some support from a Facebook page, while others questioned the credibility of the charges. Photos of the alleged rape have been circulating elsewhere on Facebook. More than 6,000 Facebook users had signed on to the support group by Monday morning, with comments ranging between empathy, skepticism, prayers, advice, mockery, and calls for revenge. Others were horrified at what they decried as a lack of feeling. “I just cannot believe there are some kids out there who still don’t get it, that they still think that girl ‘asked’ for it,” one girl wrote. The page features discussions about the role of society in preventing rape, women’s rights, as well as blunt calls for violence. “If it was my daughter I would kill them all,” someone else wrote. Two people have been charged in connection with the alleged sexual assault at the rave. Police arrested an 18-yearold man last Thursday, and are recommending charges of sexual assault. A 16-year-old was also arrested for allegedly taking photos of the incident and sending the pictures to friends. Police are pursuing charges of production of child pornography

against the 16-year-old. Police have stated that, due to the alleged victim’s recollection of events, it is likely she was drugged. A few Facebook users disagreed with what they saw as an assumption of guilt. One girl commented: “I know it’s an emotionally charged subject, but maybe you all shouldn’t be convicting these boys without knowing all of the facts. Have any of you bothered to listen to the other side’s point of view?” She stated other Facebook users failed to understand the sexually charged atmosphere of raves and the number of youths who take drugs to enhance sexual pleasure. The majority of comments expressed support and sympathy for the alleged victim. “It is good to see Facebook and technology used to heal and bring peace and hope in such dark times,” someone wrote. A Facebook page called Reasonable Doubt in Pitt Meadows has also been formed to counter what they see as one-sided media coverage of the events. “This group is for the people who have yet to jump on the bandwagon headed out to lynch the men/boys involved in the alleged rape,” according to the group’s main page. That group had 35 members as of Monday morning. The alleged victim’s father blasted what he called the “absolutely stupid” suggestion his daughter was not telling the truth about the incident. See p. 3 for related story.

Home for homeless by Samantha Shirley-Urano editorial@mrtimes.com

Aamina Gaya (right) and Breshna Tata (left) serve up traditional foods from countries such as Pakistan and Afghanistan during the Eid festival at the Maple Ridge Library on Saturday. Eid is an Islamic celebration that marks the end of Ramadan, a month-long period of daylight fasting. Members of the Islamic Society of Maple Ridge were on hand to serve traditional foods to the attendees, as well as give talks on the basic tenets of Islam. Mitch Thompson/TIMES

Families without shelter in Maple Ridge will soon have an opportunity to avoid the elements and live a more normal life in a comfortable home. The Salvation Army’s Caring Place Ministries and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference partnered to bring this home for homeless families to the community. The Caring Place took possession of the house Monday and is in the process of making it an enjoyable

home for families in need. Darrell Pilgrim, the director of the Caring Place Ministries, said furniture was moved into the house Friday, and they are in the process of getting a telephone line there. The ministry’s thrift store will also donate paintings and decorations to the home. On Monday morning, Murray Douglas, the social and communications officer for Division 320 of the Teamsters presented Pilgrim with a cheque for $4,350 to be used for upkeep of the home. See HOME, Page 3

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