Ken Sim Calls Vancouverites Who Oppose Genocide In Gaza ‘Terrorist-Aligned’
Mayor Ken Sim Amplifies Lies From Residential School Denialists to Attack Sean Orr For Opposing Ongoing Violence in Palestine
October 6th, 2025
VANCOUVER, BC - Saturday night, Ken Sim took to twitter to falsely accuse Councillor Orr of speaking at a terrorist-aligned rally, and insinuating that Orr and other attendees “celebrated Hamas” because he spoke out against Israel’s war crimes in Gaza at a family-friendly community peace event.
“Ken Sim’s smear is contemptible. Most people in Vancouver are outraged by what is happening in Gaza.” said COPE Co-Chair Shawn Vulliez, “The Mayor needs to have some integrity and respect the right to freedom of assembly and expression in the Canadian Charter.”
The Oct. 4 event was affiliated with dozens of civil society groups including the Canadian Palestinian Association, Independent Jewish Voices, and Apartheid Free Communities - a campaign which last month was endorsed by the City of Burnaby. The rally was attended by around 2,000 people.
The Twitter account which originated these incorrect claims, that Ken Sim amplified and promoted, @NewWestTimes, is a media organization which has openly promoted residential school denialism, and that actively promotes anti-LGBT hatred.
“Ken Sim is demonstrating why Vancouver voters are ready to evict him from office,” said COPE Co-Chair Tanya Webking. “First he abolishes the equity office, and then he starts amplifying hate groups. Frankly it looks like desperate pandering to extremists.”
Speaking out about the war crimes in Gaza is not controversial. According to August Poll from Angus Reid, Canadian public opinion has turned strongly against Israel’s ongoing military campaign, with two-thirds calling the situation a “moral outrage” and a majority holding the position that Israel is committing genocide.
Every time Ken Sim and ABC attack Sean Orr for speaking out about this obvious moral outrage, people in Vancouver stand up for COPE.
A transcript of Sean Orr’s complete remarks made at the rally are available here.