John Lucia / CC
Last Monday, Minneapolis Police were called to look into a black man suspected of forging a $20 bill. That man was George Floyd. While being arrested, white police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on a handcuffed Floyd’s neck. Floyd’s body went limp and he cried for his mother, as he tried to tell Chauvin and the three other officers watching the scene that he could not breathe.
About ten minutes later, Floyd died. These final moments of Floyd’s life were filmed and shared widely on the internet, leading to intense public reaction.
https://twitter.com/Hatem_21/status/1265611087220744199?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1265611087220744199&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.india.com%2Fviral%2Fgeorge-floyd-murder-twitter-left-disgusted-as-video-of-3-cops-murdering-black-man-goes-viral-calls-out-spineless-police-force-of-america-4041300%2F
#AllLivesMatter doesn’t MATTER until #BlackLivesMatter
This country is sad and pathetic. #NoJusticeNoPeace #GeorgeFloyd #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/z4VUfnFcrG— 𝒪𝓂𝑒𝑔𝒶 . (@roo_mitchell) May 27, 2020
While the video sparked initial outrage on Twitter, demonstrators quickly took to the streets in Minneapolis. As protests turned to riots, President Donald Trump threatened violence on his Twitter account, writing, “when the looting starts, the shooting starts.”
For days, the protests in Minneapolis have continued, and throughout last week, cities around the United States began protesting in solidarity. Cities like Los Angeles, New York and Washington D.C. implemented curfews in order to tame the crowds, but protests have carried on.
Now, as the protests enter their second week, some Canadian cities have begun showing their support through peaceful rallies.
Montreal
Yesterday, what began as a peaceful march in Montreal turned violent when police unloaded tear gas upon a small group of demonstrators outside police headquarters.
“It’s important for everyone to be here today so that we can have a lot of voices to say the George Floyd event is not a singular event,” said Marie-Livia Beauge, one of the event organizers. “It keeps happening and it’s happening here in Montreal so to be here together is to show solidarity and denounce the injustice.”
Before the violence broke out, Montreal police tweeted their support for the rally.
“Both the action taken and the inaction of the witnesses present go against the values of our organization,” the force tweeted calling on for a peaceful demonstration.
“We respect the rights and the need of everyone to speak out against this violence and will be by your side to ensure your safety,” the police said.
We have a problem chez nous, too. Downplaying it won’t help improve things. My favourite sign from tonight’s #manifencours in #Montreal protesting racism and police brutality, as our city shows solidarity w/ U.S. protesters following the murder of #GeorgeFloyd.
📷 @RebecduQuebec pic.twitter.com/9qpSomkC74— Toula Drimonis (@ToulasTake) May 31, 2020
Toronto
In Toronto, a rally took place in Saturday which also remained peaceful. Toronto protesters marched both in response to the death of George Floyd, as well as an incident regarding 29-year old Regis Korchinski-Paquet, a black woman who died when police say she fell from a 24th floor balcony last Wednesday after police entered her apartment. Korchinski-Paquet’s death drew widespread anger from Torontonians, who continue to demand a transparent investigation into the details of the police’s possible involvement in her death.
In response to the public outrage, Toronto Mayor John Tory extended his condolences.
“We all want and need answers when a tragic death happens in our community,” said Tory in a statement. “I fully support the investigation underway by the province’s Special Investigations Unit into her death.”
Vancouver
Yesterday, thousands also gathered outside of the Vancouver Art Gallery. Streets closed around the area as police reported about 3,500 people in attendance.
Vancouver police now estimate around 3,500 people have gathered around the art gallery. Speakers continue to share stories of oppression. All surrounding streets have been closed @cbcnewsbc pic.twitter.com/sKVO2KEcwO
— Cory Correia (@CoryCorreia) June 1, 2020
Organizers encouraged physical distancing and the wearing of masks and gloves, while anyone who was sick was asked to stay home.
“Our primary purpose is to protect the safety of the protesters, the public and the police,” Vancouver Police Sgt. Aaron Roed said. “We respect peaceful protests and, during public demonstrations, police response is proportionate to the activities observed.”
London
Chief of Police, Steve Williams condemned the killing of George Floyd in a series of tweets on Saturday.
“[London Police] is fully committed to delivering bias-free policing to all residents and visitors to London regardless of race, colour, gender, sexual orient, religion or citizenship,” he said. “These expectations of our members are non-negotiable, others need not apply…no human being deserves that treatment for any reason. We are stronger together.”
Black Lives Matter London is planning a peaceful protest at 3 p.m. on Saturday at Victoria Park.
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