A vocal group of protesters braved the cold weather last Saturday to voice their outrage over the recent Gerald Stanley Court case decision.
Last Friday, a jury found Gerald Stanley not guilty of killing Colten Boushie in August 2016. Rallies and protests were held across Canada in the days following the verdict as people expressed their displeasure with the case鈥檚 outcome.
On Feb. 10, organizers put together a gathering at the Yorkton City Centre Park in the afternoon. Gina Daniels, one of people who spearheaded the protest, said the court verdict deeply affected her family.
鈥淲e broke down in tears,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e know that this is injustice for not only us as Native people, but for all of us as Canadians.
鈥淭his is a precedent-setting case that says it鈥檚 okay to kill people.鈥�
鈥淲hen the verdict came out, it really crushed me,鈥� said Trevor Severight, who spoke at the protest. 鈥淚 feel our justice system has failed us as First Nations people.
鈥淚t鈥檚 heart-wrenching. Justice was not served.鈥�
Protesters held up signs for passing cars on Broadway Street. They read 鈥淣ative Lives Matter,鈥� 鈥淛ustice for Colten Boushie,鈥� and 鈥淲hat if he was your son?鈥�
Several speakers addressed the crowd, calling for unity and support.
鈥淚鈥檓 very glad that we have a lot of people here,鈥� Daniels said. 鈥淲e have to fight for our rights...as people of this country.
鈥淲e have to make this justice system right.鈥�
鈥淪howing support to the [Boushie] family gives them strength,鈥� Severight said. 鈥淲e are going to try to fight for answers for them.鈥�
Colten Boushie鈥檚 relatives recently went to Ottawa to speak with federal ministers about changes to the justice system.
鈥淲e鈥檙e all working in unity,鈥� Severight said.
Protesters marched down Broadway Street, occupying the road and blocking traffic. They held their signs high as they sang and chanted.
鈥淚鈥檓 thankful for everyone [who came] out today and [spoke] out of their heart,鈥� Severight said.聽
