No Justice,
No Peace,
No Racist Police!
Powerful and heartfelt, they chanted, "No Justice No Peace No Racist Police"
March 15th was International Day Against Police Brutality. Launched in 1997 it is a
world-wide day
of solidarity bringing awareness to acts of police brutality.
40 College Street was the location, right outside Toronto Police Headquarters to
talk about the disputed events surrounding the death of Alwy Al Nadhir. Toronto police shot and
killed the 18-year-old on last Hallowe'en night in Riverdale Park.
The Toronto Police allege Al-Nadhir was armed and was shot during the commission of a robbery. Al-Nadhir's
family vehemently oppose this official version of events.
Alwy's mother, Muna Bafagih, spoke at the rally, afterwards she said,
"I think everyone was nice to come and speak, I really appreciated it. If it
was not for them maybe I'd be at home crying for myself."
Asked what she wants to happen, Bafagih said, ""[Blair and the TPSB] should talk to the police. Everyone has got children. They feel the pain of the child; for
the mom to raise a child from the stomach inside. It is very painful, they know the pain they love their
children also. If one of their children was shot, how would they react?"
One of the most disturbing elements of the rally, was pointed out repeatedly by the speakers. The police officers
on hand to guard their own HQ, were often laughing. This was a quasi-memorial event on behalf of a grieving family.
It wasn't the time for levity.
After the rally there was a march from Toronto Police Headquarters to City Hall.
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