Father of 16-year-old boy demands apology from Anjou mayor for 'deplorable' remarks toward teen
CBC
The father of a 16-year-old boy says he's considering filing a complaint against the borough mayor of Anjou if he refuses to apologize to his son for what he described as "unacceptable" remarks made toward him after he asked a question during a city council meeting last week.
Last Tuesday, Hocine Ouendi — then 15 — appeared before Mayor Luis Miranda at the borough council's meeting to say he was disappointed the borough had decided to close several synthetic soccer fields in August without any notice.
"I wanted to know why he closed the fields and if there was a possibility of them reopening," Hocine said Sunday.
In a recording of the session viewed upward of 9,000 times and counting, Hocine is seen approaching the microphone and asking his question.
Miranda — visibly irritated — responds with a tirade, saying the decision to close the synthetic fields was made following "incivility" by "the majority" of young people who go there.
He said electric scooters, bicycles and trash have been brought and left on the field. Elderly people have also been pushed away due to the "aggressive" behaviour of some.
"If you're a parent, talk to your kids," Miranda snaps at Hocine. "Talk to your kids, educate your kids because there are many who are poorly educated."
Hocine interjects, telling the mayor he is just 15. He says he doesn't understand why Miranda is approaching the subject "in a really aggressive way."
Shortly after, Miranda refuses to continue the exchange with Hocine because of his age.
"I, at 15, would not have come to confront the mayor like you did. I don't know why it's you. It should have been your father or your mother who should have been here," he said.
"If I had known that you were 15, I would not have spoken to you."
Hocine's father, Smail Ouendi, says he was shocked to hear what Miranda had said.
"The mayor's reaction to my son was aggressive and deplorable," Ouendi said. "This is a youth that had a question to ask about something that concerned him personally ... and he shouldn't have acted that way."
Hocine said he feels like the mayor discriminated against him because of his age.
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