Three teenagers have been charged with hate-motivated offences following two alleged assaults on Barrie, Ont., transit buses on Sunday, including an attack in which a man’s turban was removed and beer was poured on him, CBC reports, citing police.

The accused range in age from 16 to 19. Police said each has been charged with an offence motivated by hatred.

The first incident happened around 7:15 p.m. on a bus in the Essa Road area, according to a police news release issued Tuesday. Police allege the three teens began harassing a 26-year-old passenger, slapping and pushing him while making derogatory comments.

When the man sought help from the bus driver, the accused pushed him off the bus and fled, police said.

About an hour later, police allege the same three teens approached a 22-year-old man aboard a city bus on Yonge Street. One of the accused removed the man’s turban and poured beer on him.

The man tried to call police, but one of the teens threw his phone onto the ground, according to the police account. He then tried to get help from the driver.

Police allege two of the accused restrained him while the third punched him in the face and body. The teens then left the bus and entered a nearby taxi, which officers located a short time later.

The World Sikh Organization condemned the assaults in a Wednesday post on X, specifically addressing the incident involving the 22-year-old passenger.

“These incidents cannot be dismissed as isolated acts,” the organization said. “The growing targeting of Sikhs demands serious attention, accountability and action to ensure Sikh Canadians can live safely.”

The allegations against the three teens have not been proven in court.

Sources