B.C. MLA launches private prosecution against Charlotte Kates of Samidoun

Vancouver Woman Faces Private Prosecution for Praising Hamas Attack

A member of the British Columbia legislature is taking legal action against a Vancouver woman who lauded Hamas’s recent attack on Israel as “heroic.”

Dallas Brodie, the leader of the OneBC party, has filed terrorism charges against Charlotte Kates in B.C. provincial court.

According to Kates’ social media profiles, she serves as the international coordinator for Samidoun, a group that was designated as a terrorist entity in Canada in 2024.

Unlike traditional criminal proceedings, a private prosecution involves a member of the public submitting allegations directly to the court for consideration by Crown prosecutors.

Brodie and her party have presented a document accusing Kates of “glorifying and defending terrorist entities,” citing her remarks at pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Vancouver.

Kates was previously arrested in 2024 following a speech at a rally where she expressed support for the October 7 attack. Samidoun stated that Kates was released on conditions and no charges were laid at that time.

As of now, Samidoun has not responded to requests for comment regarding Brodie’s private prosecution.

This article by The Canadian Press was originally published on August 20, 2025.

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