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#Factcheck #Rioters #sheltering #Hong #Kong #church
A photo claimed to show “rioters” taking refuge in a church in Hong Kong has been shared hundreds of times in multiple posts on Facebook. The claim is false. The photo is actually a church sheltering the homeless in Vancouver, Canada.
The picture was published. This Facebook post on October 6, 2019.
The traditional Chinese language title of the post translates into English: “[Expletive!] Such a ‘grateful’ church that harbors rioters! Come on and explain! Talking about peace while covering up crimes! [Expletive!] Circulating on the internet, borrowed to share here.
“The ‘Cockroach’ Sanctuary! 317-318 Lok Hin Terrace, 350 Chai Wan Road”.
Below is a screenshot of the misleading post:
The post was published on the same day that violent protests broke out in Hong Kong once again. Tens of thousands of protesters marched in defiance of a government ban on face masks in public gatherings, according to AFP. Here On October 7
This photo was also shared hundreds of times. Here, Here, Here And Here With tens of thousands of followers in multiple Facebook groups with similar claims.
The claim is false. The photo is actually a church sheltering homeless people in Vancouver, Canada in 2009.
A reverse image search on Google found the same image that was published. This Vancouver Street Magazine Megaphone Article December 5, 2011.
The article headline reads: “Cold winds are blowing: Winter weather raises questions about future of Vancouver’s shelters”.
The article states that the First United Church opened its doors to the homeless in the dead of winter.
The photo caption reads: “The First United Church in 2009. The pews have since been removed to make room for more beds. Photo by Jay Black.”
Below is a screenshot of the image on Megaphone’s website.
In an email to AFP on October 7, photographer Jay Blake said he took the photo.
“Yes, I’m the photographer who took the picture,” he said.
“The people seen sleeping in the church are homeless. As Vancouver’s 2010 Olympic Games approached, the local government was trying to manage the growing problem of homelessness in the city. I was a freelancer at the time. He was a photographer and provided pictures to various news outlets.
“The claim that the church is in Hong Kong and is being used to shelter protesters is 100 percent false.”
on its website HereVancouver-based First United Church states: “Our programs and services aim to meet the needs of street-affected people on the Downtown Eastside. Our work promotes wellness in body, mind and spirit, whether it’s hot And be it a nutritious meal, help with taxes, a dry pair of socks, or a warm foot soak.”
The same picture was published. Here By Vancouver Sun on October 13, 2009.
The headline states: “Performers put on concert for amazing United Church homeless shelter”.
The report’s introduction states: “Each night more than 200 homeless people sleep in the pews of Vancouver’s long-standing First United Church. It is a ministry that is both amazing and surprising.”
Below is a screenshot of the report:
In 2008, a similar photo of homeless people sleeping in a church was published. Here By CBC December 24, 2008. The report’s photo caption reads: “About 200 homeless people have been spending their nights at the First United Church in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside since winter began.”
A bubble tea shop called Xiangcha, not a church, is currently operating at the address listed in the misleading post, according to This Website publication page for Hong Kong restaurant directory OpenRice.
According to the misleading post, there is no church listed at the address. Google Maps.
