Sunday, April 03, 2011

Edmonton Journal story about Police association says man shot dead by officer was carrying a pipe

What I find disappointing in this story regarding this indigenous man is the decision to kill a man, who needs help. I would ask; is this a case of racial profiling against aboriginal people in Edmonton? After two days of speculation about the details of the shooting and aggravating circumstances, we now read that the victim was carrying a pipe. And we are expected to take the word of a police association member, who rationalizes the actions of the young limited experienced police officers? Far too often, Canada's first people are in a position of seeking help through inappropriate actions, that are detrimental to themselves and people around them, but does that give the police permission to shoot and kill a man who needs help? Why did the police officers aim at a body extremity that would not cause a fatal wound, which would have disarmed the victims handling of a "pipe" but no, the officers shoot and kill the man and ask questions. In my opinion, this is a case of racial profiling and an independent investigation should be initiated by professionals who are arms length from the police or any police association who is there to protect their officers with no regard for helping this man and his family. Shame on the police and their trigger happy officers who see Canada's first people through the colonial racist beliefs of the 19th and 20th century, which has no place today in the 21st century. Miigweech, all my relations

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