Hundreds march through streets to denounce racism, seek change
Mayor, police chief among those taking part in Black Lives Matter march
On Friday morning, a crowd of hundreds walked from the Royal Saskatchewan Museum across Regina’s Albert Street bridge.
Calls of “no justice” were answered with “no peace,” much the same as at rallies and protests the world over in response to the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Obianuju Juliet Bushi, one of the event organizers, told those gathered that this wasn’t a photo opportunity or a “catwalk.”
“I want you to march like you mean it, like you’re stomping on racism,” she said over a bullhorn.
Romuald Butoyi said he felt strongly about marching for himself and other black people.
“It’s important,” he said. “It’s our duty to let people know what’s going on across Canada.”
Butoyi was conscious of the risk because of the COVID -19 pandemic, but organizers throughout the morning and afternoon reminded people to keep their distance and to wear masks.
Police Chief Evan Bray was part of the rally, as were members of the Regina Police Service (RPS), Mayor Michael Fougere and other members of city council.
While addressing the crowd on the steps of the legislative building, Bray said he and the RPS were committed to rooting out racism in the service and in the community.
For Butoyi, the police presence was welcome. Having faced discrimination himself, he found it encouraging police were willing to show up.
“The police and the citizens go hand in hand. Them being here is showing appreciation and support for us,” he said.
The chief spoke frankly to the crowd, saying that just as racism persists in society, it persists in police services.
“I have white privilege. I can’t change it, but I can use it,” said Bray. “I feel the need to say sorry, because I am sorry that that happened; that tragic, senseless killing happened,” he added in reference to Floyd’s death.
“Black lives absolutely matter,” Bray said before addressing a red dress in the crowd, representing missing and murdered Indigenous women.
At the end of his speech Bray asked the crowd to join him and the members of the RPS in taking a knee.
“I can’t say we’re free of it,” Bray said after his speech. “There is racism within our police service, I’m confident of that.”
He said the RPS had to ensure oversight and a level of transparency that the community felt comfortable with.
Saskatchewan is one of the only provinces without an independent, civilian-led police oversight board. Bray said he’d be open to the added scrutiny.
“The Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police have long said we welcome any oversight the province can bring in,” he said. “Having independent civilian oversight is a must.”
During the rally, the crowd observed eight minutes and 46 seconds of silence, the same amount of time white police officer Derek Chauvin spent kneeling on Floyd’s neck on a Minneapolis street.
The only sounds during that time were chirping birds, wind and the midday Albert Street traffic.
“That’s a long time,” said Juliet Bushi. “Enough is enough.”
After the silence, the crowd listened to and then joined in singing
Amazing Grace.
During the moment of silence, Fougere said he thought back to his own time living in the U.S.
Born and raised in Michigan, the mayor said he witnessed racism as young man, and years later the same issues persist.
“How many time do we have this kind of brutality happen to wake us up?” said the mayor. “We have to do better.”
Fougere said that in Canada there was no cause for complacency, urging all levels of government and the community to work together.
When asked about recent calls to defund police here and elsewhere, the mayor said the city’s approach would not be to pull money from the police budget.
Instead, he said the city would seek to increase resources for people facing mental health, economic and racial injustices.
This week, the charge against Chauvin, who has been fired, was upgraded to second-degree murder. The three other officers who were involved in the incident will be charged with aiding and abetting murder.
During the rally, Bushi called on the Saskatchewan Health Authority and the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses to open an investigation into the death of Samwel Uko.
Uko, a 20-year-old resident of Abbotsford, B.C., was found dead in Wascana Lake on May 21. It is believed his death was a suicide, but the young man visited a hospital, in distress, hours before his death.
“Ask them that question, what happened to Samwel?” said Juliet Bushi. “We need to know.”
Another protest is planned for Sunday.
I feel the need to say sorry because I am sorry that that happened; that tragic, senseless killing happened.