Police video of aboriginal chief arrest shocking: Justin Trudeau

Toronto, June 13

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated on Friday that black and indigenous folks in Canada don’t really feel protected round police after a police dashcam video emerged of the violent arrest of a Canadian aboriginal chief.

The arrest has obtained consideration in Canada as a backlash towards racism grows worldwide within the wake of the demise of George Floyd, a black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee to his neck.

The 12-minute police video reveals an officer charging at Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation Chief Allan Adam along with his arm and elbow up as he tackles him to the bottom. It additionally reveals the officer punching him within the head.

Trudeau referred to as the video “shocking.”

“I have serious questions about what happened,” Trudeau stated. “The unbiased investigation have to be clear and be carried out in order that we get solutions.

At the identical time, although, we additionally know that this isn’t an remoted incident. Far too many black Canadians and indigenous folks don’t really feel protected round police.

It’s unacceptable. And as governments, now we have to vary that.” Pictures present Adam was left bloodied along with his face swollen. Alberta’s police watchdog company is investigating. Police charged Adam with resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer.

The Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation stated the Royal Canadian Mounted Police sprint digicam video was launched publicly as a part of a court docket software to get legal fees towards Adam eliminated.

The video earlier reveals a unique officer approaching Adam’s truck exterior a on line casino in Fort McMurray, Alberta, early on the morning of March 10. Police have stated Adam’s truck had expired plates.

The video reveals Adam getting out and in of the automobile, eradicating his coat and taking a karate-like stance and utilizing expletives as he complains about being harassed by police. His spouse and niece get in between him and the officer at occasions.

Adam’s lawyer, Brian Beresh, has filed a court docket movement to have legal fees dropped over violation of Adam’s constitutional rights.

“All of this resulted from an expired license plate tag. The video speaks for itself,” Beresh stated in an announcement.

Opposition Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer stated he was troubled by the video.

“It’s very difficult to watch,” Scheer stated. “I found it very troubling and very worrying. The events of the last few days and weeks have ignited a very important conversation about the use of excessive force.”                

The RCMP stated in an announcement that the dashcam video had been reviewed by supervisors and “it was determined that the members’ actions were reasonable and did not meet the threshold for an external investigation.”               

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland stated she discovered the photographs within the video “incredibly disturbing.” “This is a moment in our country when we need to confront the really horrible reality that systemic racism exists here in Canada, anti-black racism exists in Canada, anti-indigenous racism exists in Canada. It is systemic,” she stated.

The assertion from the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation referred to as for the officers concerned to be punished and legal fees introduced.

Mark Mendelson, a former Toronto police detective, stated the officer flying at Adam along with his elbow and punching him on the bottom was pointless and egregious. Mendelson additionally questioned why he was being arrested.

“You can see him being verbally aggressive. My position is that if you can’t take somebody yelling and swearing and screaming at you, then you probably shouldn’t be a cop,” he stated.

Adam held a information convention final weekend to speak about extreme drive and racism. He has famous that though aboriginal folks symbolize 5% of Canada’s inhabitants, they make as much as 30% of the jail inhabitants. AP