Chantel Moore91裸聊视频檚 family is asking people to refocus their attention after someone pouring liquid on Victoria91裸聊视频檚 police chief took the focus away from the real importance of Saturday91裸聊视频檚 memorial event.
91裸聊视频淭he event on Sept. 18 was to honour and call for justice for Chantel Moore and a number of families who have lost their loved ones or faced violence and brutality from police and RCMP in Canada,91裸聊视频� Moore91裸聊视频檚 uncle Hjalmer Wenstob said in a video statement on behalf of the family and in conjunction with Victoria Police Chief Del Manak, Sunday (Sept. 19) night.
Moore, an Indigenous woman, was fatally shot by a police officer in Edmundston, N.B. during a wellness check on June 4, 2020. No criminal charges have been laid against the officer.
Since then, Moore91裸聊视频檚 mother, Martha Martin, and her family have been calling for changes to policing across the country, including mandatory police body cameras, more training and civilian support on mental health calls, better independent oversight, and taking officers who discharge a gun off duty until they91裸聊视频檝e been cleared.
READ ALSO:
Martin invited Manak to attend and speak at Saturday91裸聊视频檚 event in the hopes of breaking down barriers and starting to work together towards those goals, Wenstob said. But, after Manak had finished speaking, a group of people not connected with the event and not related to Moore91裸聊视频檚 family, approached the chief and poured a cup of liquid on him. The event, Wenstob said, was immediately halted while Moore91裸聊视频檚 family brought Manak on stage to apologize to him and call out the incident.
91裸聊视频淭his act and any act similar moves us in the wrong direction and is something we will note condone,91裸聊视频� Wenstob said. But, he noted, the act should not have defined the event.
91裸聊视频淪ongs, prayers and stories were shared, tears and pain were shed, and the start of important work was done,91裸聊视频� Wenstob said.
The family was dismayed when they returned home to see Victoria Police Department91裸聊视频檚 press release, and subsequent media coverage, focused not on that important work, but on the liquid being poured on the police chief.
91裸聊视频淲e cannot stand idly by and see the good work that has been done taken advantage of to create further division,91裸聊视频� Wenstob said.
Speaking in the same video statement, Manak thanked people for their care and concern for him, but agreed that the focus needs to return to Chantel Moore. He said he was honoured to have been invited to the event and will continue to work with Moore91裸聊视频檚 family.
Five people were taken into custody following the incident, but have since been released and no charges have been laid at this time.
READ ALSO:
Do you have a story tip? Email: vnc.editorial@blackpress.ca.
Follow us on and and like us on
