‘Black lives matter’ outcry in Ottawa follows death
Hundreds of people rallied in Canada’s capital yesterday to protest the death of a mentally ill black man following an arrest, marching against what they see as race-based police brutality in a country that prides itself for being tolerant.
Abdirahman Abdi, 37, died last Tuesday after being hospitalised in a critical condition following his arrest. Witnesses told local media he was beaten by Ottawa police officers who were responding to calls of a disturbance.
His death echoed events in the United States, where a string of killings of black men by police and allegations of brutality and racial bias have sparked protests.
Protesters chanted ‘‘Black lives matter!’’ as they started marching, a reference to the Us-founded antipolice brutality movement, which has an official chapter in Canada. ‘‘They murdered him! Enough is enough!’’ the protesters chanted as they approached the Ottawa police headquarters, where the march ended.
Organisers said they would respect the wishes of Abdi’s family for the event to be peaceful. Police said there had been no arrests. Abdi’s family spoke briefly before the march, thanking supporters.
Abdi’s funeral on Saturday was attended by at least 600 people, including Ottawa mayor Jim Watson and other local politicians.
The province of Ontario’s police watchdog, the Special Investigations Unit, is looking into the circumstances surrounding Abdi’s arrest.
The organisers of yesterday’s rally called for the officers involved in Abdi’s arrest to be put on unpaid leave, for all officers to wear body cameras, and for a review into how police deal with minorities and people in distress.
Ottawa police declined to comment.