About 50 people braved the cold Monday evening in Red Deer to spread their message: Indigenous lives matter.
The march, Justice for Colten Boushie, was in wake of a recent not guilty verdict in the death of Colten Boushie.
Since the Friday’s verdict, protests have sparked around Canada including: Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, and Vancouver.
The 22-year-old Boushie, a resident of Red Pheasant First Nation, died in 2016 after he was shot in the head. The Indigenous man was sitting in an SUV driven onto Gerald Stanley’s farm near Biggar, Sask.
Stanley was acquitted of second degree murder Friday. During the trial, Stanley testified he had fired warning shots. He said the fatal shot occurred as he reached into the SUV for the keys, and the gun “just went off.”
The driver of the SUV testified the group had been drinking and tried to break into a truck on a neighbouring farm, but ended up on Stanley’s property, looking for help due to a flat tire.
About 50 peaceful protesters gathered at Red Deer City Hall at 5 p.m. and ended outside the Red Deer Provincial Court just before 6 p.m., where they had a vigil.
Heidi Coltman, organizer of the march in Red Deer, was glad to see the turnout.
“Colten’s story is unique, but the outcome is similar to many stories of young Indigenous lives all across Canada,” said Coltman, during her speech.
“The trial was decided by an all white jury,” she said.
Krystal Waldo, Red Deer resident, said she was at the rally because there is proof that shows there is a lot of injustice in Canada.
“Protests like these show we are with those that suffer injustice, those who don’t have a voice that they should have,” said Waldo.
She said she found the Friday’s verdict to be very sad.
“Not that justice wasn’t served but there were no consequences at all,” said Waldo.
Red Deer’s Skylar Remple said she attended the march to help fight against the injustices that Indigenous people are faced with everyday.
“They are forgotten a lot of the times and we really need to fight for justice and we need to stand together as a community,” said Remple.
Hazel Desjarlais, an elder, was at the protest. She said she attended the march to show her support for the Boushie family and Indigenous families across the nation.
mamta.lulla@reddeeradvocate.com
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