Lang's love of news revived

By KRISTEN HOLLIDAY

AKerrisdale school is remembering the only Canadian journalist who died in the War in Afghanistan.

Magee Secondary School held an assembly on Thursday, Nov. 8, to honour one of its alumni, Michelle Lang, the only journalist who was killed while on assignment to cover the war.

A plaque was unveiled during the ceremony, which will be permanently placed in the school to commemorate the journalist. Lang’s family and friends were in attendance, along with Member of Parliament for Vancouver-Granville, Jody WilsonRaybould.

In front of a full auditorium of students and faculty, Catherine Lang, Lang’s aunt and a former Langara journalism school graduate, spoke about Lang’s life, career, and the assignment in Afghanistan.

Abdulhadi a key or access to any apartment.

According to Visintin there are ways to avoid these kinds of scams.

“Don’t send money to anyone you haven’t met in person” said Visintin, who advised getting as much information as possible on the person taking your money, and to call 911 if needed.

“Once that 911 file number is open, police will activate an investigation.”

Yet the London, Ont. native said because she “willingly gave over cash,” there was nothing the police could do, despite the precautions Abdulhadi said she had taken.

Visintin said she couldn’t comment on Abdulhadi’s case because it was an open investigation.

Abdulhadi said while looking for monthly accommodations, she found an apartment on Facebook Marketplace. She said after viewing the suite at 1001 Richards Street with the “landlord,” she handed over $1,500 in cash and e-transfers over a couple of days. She even got receipts, she said.

Abdulhadi said she asked the “landlord” for photo ID and received a photo of her B.C. ID card.

The Voice called the “landlord” twice with contact information supplied by Abdulhadi but the number had since been disconnected.

Abdulhadi said she met the “landlord” three times, and was in constant communication using texts and phone calls, yet she said after the cash was handed over, communica- tion went silent.

“That’s $1,500 from someone who just graduated, just started work,” Abdulhadi said.

Director of Operations at LandlordBC Hunter Boucher said there has been an increase in apartment rental scams.

“It’s something we’re hearing more about,” Boucher said, “[But] generally, the scammer doesn’t meet the potential renter in person.”

LandlordBC provides legislation clarification and advice to owners and managers of rental housing in B.C..

Boucher said landlords who rent out apartments don’t have much control over what their tenants do with it.

“[The landlords] can cooperate with the police and end the tenancy agreement but past that, there isn’t anything they can do,” Boucher said.

“I went by the book,” Abdulhadi said. “I always thought [people who get scammed] weren’t doing the right thing.”

She said Lang was aware of the dangers, but knew it was important to tell Canadians the stories of ordinary Afghan people.

“She loved to learn, and wanted to see that the women and girls would finally be able to get an education after five years of brutal Taliban rule. If she could write about those people and their stories, maybe Canadians would pay attention,” Catherine said. “Maybe Canadians would care more, and better understand why we were there fighting that long and messy war.”

Lang, an SFU graduate, started her journalism career at the Prince George Free Press. She moved on to the Moose Jaw Times-Herald, the Regina Leader-Post and then the Calgary Herald, where she worked on the health beat before accepting a six-week assignment in Afghanistan.

In an interview with The Voice, Lang’s mother, Sandra Lang, said her daughter was always interested in writing and current events from a very young age.

Please see LANG'S LOVE page 2