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Man charged in Vancouver Trump rally assault on CBC reporter in court

A man accused of assaulting a CBC reporter at a January 2021 Donald Trump rally at the Vancouver Art Gallery returns to court later this month
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Glacier Media caught an image of a man about to punch CBC photojournalist Ben Nelms in the face at a Jan. 6, 2020 rally in support of former U.S. President Donald Trump.

The man accused of assaulting a CBC reporter at a Trump rally returns to court on Feb. 28.

Chris Savva is accused of assaulting journalist Ben Nelms.

Nelms was attacked as protesters were gathered on the sidewalk in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery on Jan 6, 2021, the day of the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Some held signs saying "TRUMP 2020," others waved U.S. flags with the country's Second Amendment about the right to bear arms scrawled on them, and some paraded placards proclaiming "BIBLE OVER LOGIC OVER SCIENCE 100%."

Around the midway point of the protest, one person involved lunged at photojournalist Nelms, punched him in the face, then walked away.

Savva was charged on Dec. 13 and was released on conditions.

He did not appear in Downtown Community Court on Feb. 7, instead represented by lawyer Matt Smith.

The lawyer told Judge Patrick Doherty he was awaiting disclosure on the case from the Crown.

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