Family members of those who died following interactions with Winnipeg police, advocates, and community members have written an open letter to Manitoba’s premier and justice minister, alleging systemic racism within the ranks of the police service, while advocating for change.
The Coalition of Families Affected by Police Violence sent the letter Tuesday.
They allege the Winnipeg Police Service’s (WPS) interactions with Indigenous peoples “reflect discriminatory treatment, are based on racist and colonial beliefs about Indigenous people, and devalue Indigenous lives, resulting in under-policing, over-policing and police brutality.”
The group called on the province to create a public complaint body with the power to investigate systemic complaints and to review and reform the Fatal Inquiries Act, to ensure that inquests can produce meaningful recommendations to prevent similar deaths in the future.
“This loss must stop. Our letter presents two demands, concrete steps to take, to protect our families.”
The letter is …