Councillor apologizes for online post in Boushie death
One of the many people who posted vitriolic comments online in the wake of the Colten Boushie murder says he feels like an “idiot” and is filled with regret.
The Boushie case illustrates the disturbing trend of public online hate and racism, much of it from people emboldened to use their real names, says University of Windsor law professor Richard Moon. But before anyone hastily presses “post,” they should be aware that the justice system theoretically treats online and in-person hate speech the same, he said.
Ben Kautz, a second-term councillor for the Rural Municipality of Browning in southeast Saskatchewan, posted to the Saskatchewan Farmer’s Group on Facebook, “In my mind his only mistake was leaving witnesses.”
Boushie was shot earlier this month north of Biggar after he and four friends allegedly pulled into a farmyard seeking help for a flat tire. Landowner Gerald Stanley has been charged with second-degree murder.
“It was a stupid thing to say. It wasn’t serious, (but) the damage is done. I’ve got to live with it,” Kautz said in an interview this weekend.
Premier Brad Wall, the National Farmers Union, the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities and others have condemned the online hate. The RCMP, which confirmed it is conducting hate speech investigation, issued a warning Saturday. “As we have stated earlier, there have been comments made on social media that are concerning and could be criminal in nature,” stated an RCMP news release. “We are asking everyone to remain respectful in their online communication.”
Kautz has faced a wave of online criticism, threats and angry phone calls, with some posting his home address and contact information.
He said he’s truly sorry. He got angry when he heard the RCMP had arrested some of those in the car for theft. The post had nothing to do with race, he said. He noted he has Metis relatives.
Even if there was theft, Kautz said it doesn’t justify killing.