#JusticeForColten
- Details
- Published on Sunday, 29 November -0001 16:00
- Written by editor
Shockwaves are rippling throughout the entire country. On Friday, an all-white jury fully acquitted Gerald Stanley of any responsibility in the death of Colten Boushie, a 22-year-old Indigenous man shot with a gun at point-blank range. [1]
What happened to Colten Boushie seems like it could have happened in rural Mississippi in 1962. But this happened just a few days ago, in rural Saskatchewan, in 2018.
Colten Boushie’s family and other First Nations groups are in Ottawa this week calling for an immediate appeal of the verdict, as well as an inquiry into the administration of justice in the Boushie case. [2]
A massive petition will show federal and provincial Justice Ministers that there is cross-country support for these demands.
Will you show your support for Colten Boushie’s family by signing this petition calling for an immediate appeal and inquiry?
Let’s go over what happened again. Gerald Stanley, a white man from North Battleford SK, shot Colten Boushie, a young Indigenous man, in the head. [3]
The RCMP responded to Boushie’s death by storming his family’s home with guns drawn, searching Boushie’s house without a warrant and accused his mom of drinking. [4]
When the case went to court, Indigenous people were systematically excluded from the jury. Those left with the power to decide Stanley’s fate would be all white. [5]
Despite expert evidence and testimony that the gun didn’t fire accidentally, Stanley was fully acquitted of any responsibility — even manslaughter — for Boushie’s death. [6]
This verdict is a striking example of how racism still persists in Canada’s justice system. It has also shattered the Boushie family, who sought justice for the murder of their son, brother, and cousin, and were delivered an absolutely devastating blow: a racist not-guilty verdict.
The Minister of Justice in Saskatchewan has the power to launch an inquiry and call for an immediate appeal of the verdict. Justice Minister Jody-Wilson Raybould has the political weight to make both happen.
Trudeau, Wilson-Raybould, and the Premier of Saskatchewan have all issued statements of on twitter for the Boushie family but we need more than nice words and tweets. There needs to be immediate action. [7]
Sign the petition
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, along with the Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs, and the Assembly of First Nations are now calling on leaders to address this "gross miscarriage of justice”.[8] Will you support their calls and sign the petition?
This is about a case of gross injustice, but it’s also an example of the racism and discrimination Indigenous people in this country continue to face in an era of reconciliation.
We all have a role to play in changing the way this country’s legacy towards Indigenous people.
And right now, there’s an opportunity in front of us to stand with these communities, and with the Boushie family, to speak out about this gross injustice and demand action be taken to rectify it now.
Sign petition: https://you.leadnow.ca/petitions/justice-for-colten-boushie
Brittany on behalf of the Leadnow community
Sources:
[1] Shouts of 'murderer' in courtroom after Gerald Stanley acquitted in Colten Boushie shooting http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/gerald-stanley-colten-boushie-verdict-1.4526313
[2] “'We have questions and we want answers': Boushie family in Ottawa to meet with ministers” http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/boushie-verdict-ottawa-parliament-meeting-1.4530880,
[3-4] “The night Colten Boushie died: What family and police files say about his last day, and what came after” https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/colten-boushie/article32451940/
[5] “The Gerald Stanley verdict is a blow to reconciliation—and a terrifying one at that” http://www.macleans.ca/news/the-gerald-stanley-verdict-is-a-blow-to-reconciliation-and-a-terrifying-one-at-that/
[6] “The night Colten Boushie died: What family and police files say about his last day, and what came after” https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/colten-boushie/article32451940/
[7] 'We have questions and we want answers': Boushie family in Ottawa to meet with ministers http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/boushie-verdict-ottawa-parliament-meeting-1.4530880
[8] “Colten Boushie’s Family Is Headed to Ottawa” https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/pamgkz/colten-boushies-family-on-the-rodney-king-trial-of-the-prairies
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