It took more than a day after the attack on Santina Rao for Halifax Regional Police to report the incident to SIRT, the organization that is tasked with investigating all such violent incidents. Toronto author and journalist Desmond Cole looked into the delay.
Raymond Sheppard looks into the training police officers receive, and has some ideas how to make it better. “If police officers across Canada had the above-mentioned training they might not feel the need to bully and use excessive force against African People and other Persons of Colour.”
Judy Haiven: “I know it was the coldest day of the winter. Maybe some of them couldn’t attend. But today, more than a week after Rao being attacked and arrested, one of the easiest things to do to support her and anti-racism is to speak up, to write an article, an op-ed, a letter. But caring leaders in the broader community remain silent.”
“Over the years, I had the pleasure of knowing some very good police officers within the Halifax Regional Municipality.” A quick note by Raymond Sheppard.
Judy Haiven: “The Black community and its growing number of allies will not accept the continued violence, arrests and yes — street checks — by the Halifax Police. And, hopefully, the “good burghers” – Halifax’s white residents – will actually support the Black community’s struggle against police tyranny.”
Earlier today poet and activist El Jones told the Halifax Board of Commissioners that it must deal with racism and police brutality of step aside. She made some excellent points.
“Excessive force used by police in situations involving Persons of Colour is nothing new, it has been happening for hundreds of years and continues at an alarming rate,” writes Raymond Sheppard.
On what surely must have been the coldest day this winter some 150 people came out to rally at the Mumford Road Walmart in support of Santina Rao.
Locking up people who are intoxicated is most often a bad idea. It criminalizes people who live with addictions and need help.. We spoke with Harry Critchley of the East Coast Prison Justice Society to understand the alternatives out there and the case he and Dr. Leah Genge will be making at Monday’s Halifax Board of Police Commissioners.
Press release: WWW request an immediate meeting with Halifax Regional Police Chief Dan Kinsella. Racism and violence against women will not be tolerated. For several years now, Women’s Wellness Within has sought to advise Halifax Regional Police to appropriately treat women and nonbinary people with young children. Change is needed now.