More protests planned
RNC headquarters will be site for today’s demonstration
Reaction to the acquittal of RNC Const. Carl Snelgrove has been fast and strong.
Following the not-guilty verdict in Snelgrove’s sexual assault trial Friday evening, a group of demonstrators staged a protest on the steps of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador. That night, a group of about 70 people held signs and chanted in disapproval of the verdict. Among the chants: “We don’t care how much he cried,” “All we want is to get home safe,” and “Consent is mandatory.”
A second demonstration has been planned for Monday at RNC headquarters in St. John’s. The Facebook event, called “Hell no Snelgrove!” invites people to gather at noon to protest the verdict.
“We are deeply disappointed by the non-guilty verdict of RNC Const. Snelgrove. We are angry that he and the judicial system know so painfully little about consent and perpetuate this oppressive violence.
We are angry that we feel unsafe in our community and that the very people who are supposed to protect us cannot be trusted,” the event page reads.
“We are deeply disappointed by the non-guilty verdict of RNC Const. Snelgrove. We are angry that he and the judicial system know so painfully little about consent and perpetuate this oppressive violence.” Facebook event page
“We deserve to be free from sexual violence. These are our lives being broken down. OUR lives. We stand in support with survivors of sexual assault and we believe them. Snelgrove should be fired from the RNC for betraying our trust and brutalizing our community.”
On Saturday, spray-painted messages such as such as “Abuse of power comes as no surprise,” “St. John’s police suck” and “Believe victims” were on display on the perimeter of the property next to the National War Memorial.