On September 29, 2026, Frances Widdowson was arrested at the University of Victoria for trying to discuss the Kamloops 215 Deception. The cinematographer, Simon Hergott, who was there to document the discussion, had liquid thrown in his face and on his camera. The suspect is Josee Street, a deranged orange shirt activist. Street also punched Hergott several times and he was unable to defend himself for fear of being arrested or being attacked by the orange shirt mob. The Saanich Police, who were wearing orange ribbons for “Truth and Reconciliation” Day, did not arrest Street. They also allowed a number of orange shirt activists to stalk Hergott as he tried to return to his car.
What is not known is that Widdowson spent a number of hours the previous day at the University of Victoria filming with Simon Hergott. There she had an interaction with Making a Killing documentary director Tim Thielmann in front of the law school, the Cornett Building, the Survivors’ Flag, and the McPherson Library. While sitting at a table in front of the Student Union Building, Widdowson and Thielmann played the Spectrum Street Epistemology Board Game. Widdowson was able to do this because she had worn a disguise.
Widdowson was arrested because of a trespass order against her. This trespass order was based on lies, making the University of Victoria guilty of mischief and perhaps even fabricating evidence. This was because UVic first maintained, on December 1, 2025, that Widdowson was prohibited from campus because she had planned an unsactioned event.
When Widdowson arrived on December 2, 2025, after explaining many times that she was not holding an event, she was handed another notice that said that she was not allowed on campus because of her “conduct on university property is contrary to university policy expectations”. This letter had been written before Widdowson had engaged in any “conduct”.
This mischief and possible fabrication of evidence has been explained best by Kevin James Byrne.
The evening of December 2, after many students had engaged in violent behaviour, harassment, intimidation, and property theft, the acting President Robina Thomas “rais[ed her] hands with the deepest respect” to those “who showed up to turn their backs on a potentially harmful unsanctioned event”. She then “acknowledg[ed] that harms” had been done to indigenous students, staff, faculty, and community” and that UVic stood “with you against those who seek to divide us”. There was no condemnation of the violence that occurred. This directly encouraged the behaviour that led to Simon Hergott being assaulted and having his camera destroyed.
On September 29, 2026, Saanich Police admitted that they could use discretion when enforcing a trespass order. Widdowson was aware that trespass orders are generally enforced when there is a safety threat or the functioning of the institution is being impeded, and told this to Saanich Police. In spite of Widdowson telling the police that the University of Victoria had lied about Widdowson’s “conduct” (as it wrote the trespass notice before Widdowson was even on campus), the police arrested Widdowson. Soon after Widdowson was assaulted and taken away, Hergott was assaulted by Josee Street.
The reason for naming Street is to ensure that she is charged by the police. No one should retaliate against Street; it is important for there to be equality under the law and Street should be held accountable just like everyone else. If the police do not charge Street, Widdowson will pursue a private prosecution and then look into pursuing her through the civil courts.
It looks doubtful, however, as to whether the police will do their jobs. Many were wearing orange ribbons on their shirts, to show deference to “truth and reconciliation”, showing a lack of neutrality. When Simon Hergott was in the police station, part of a conversation that he was having with the detective was recorded on a phone when he was talking to a third party.
If you were a witness, or if you have any relevant information about this incident, please contact Saanich Police at their non-emergency line: 250-475-4321, extension 1. You may also contact Frances Widdowson via email at wokeacademywhistleblower@gmail.com.
