Man who inspired citizen’s arrest bill endorses John Tory’s mayoral bid

Chinatown store owner David Chen supports Tory despite help from Olivia Chow after 2009 arrest

John Tory talks to reporters besides David Chen (front right) in Chinatown on Thursday. Arturo Chang

Lucky Moose Food Market owner David Chen said he’s endorsing Jonh Tory’s mayoral bid despite having received help previously from other mayoral candidate Olivia Chow.

Chen inspired new federal legislation on citizen’s arrests five years ago after he chased a serial shoplifter down and tied him up until police arrived at his grocery store. He was charged with assault and forcible confinement, but was later aquitted.

Tory received Chen’s endorsement after a meeting with the Chinatown BIA on Thursday. He said Chen is a community leader who brought up real change to the country.

“[Chen] stood up for himself but he also stood up for others in the community at that time and brought up about real change,” he said.

Bill C-26 allows citizen’s arrest to be made for a short period of time after a crime is commited. It was heavily supported by Chow, who made several public appearances with Chen endorsing the bill.

Chen said Chow was not the only one that helped him after his arrest after he was asked why he supported Tory instead of her.

“In my case in 2009, it’s not only Olivia Chow helping me,” he said. “It’s so many persons.”

There’s less than five weeks left until the Oct. 27 election.

About this article

By: Arturo Chang
Posted: Sep 26 2014 12:19 am
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Filed under: Toronto Votes 2014
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