THREAD:
Ok #HamOnt, I want to run down a few bits of local history that feel kinda relevant right now in case anyone missed them at the time. Keep in mind this list is far from comprehensive: (1)
April 6, 2007: Soun Saing, 46, a Cambodian refugee was fatally shot by police during a confrontation outside an east-end pool hall. The SIU investigation found no wrongdoing.(3) https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/dead-mans-family-question-police-shooting/article682984/">https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/nati...
June 26, 2008: Djo Bwabwa Kalamba, 20, dies when store employees and random citizens chase him down and sit on him, preventing him from breathing. He was accused of stealing a $15 auto part from the Canadian Tire on Upper James (5) https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilton-region/2009/09/18/shoplifter-dies-after-guard-tackles-him.html">https://www.thespec.com/news/hami...
February 23, 2010: Kenneth Lyon jumps to his death from an apartment balcony moments after being placed under arrest. Officers knew ahead of time that had been flagged as a suicide risk, but the inquest found no wrongdoing.(6) https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilton-region/2011/09/07/inquest-into-fatal-balcony-plunge-closed.html">https://www.thespec.com/news/hami...
May 4, 2010: Po La Hay, a refugee from Myanmar is severely injured during a wrong-address drug raid. Officers are charged but not convicted, tho the Judge& #39;s remarks about "the spectre of a police cover-up" are oft-quoted in the press. (7) https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilton-region/2012/05/01/po-la-hay-ends-lawsuit-over-botched-police-raid.html">https://www.thespec.com/news/hami...
It should be noted here that one of the cops involved in Hay& #39;s case, Ryan Tocher, was also one of the cops who shot Soun Saing in 2007.(8)
February 14, 2011: James Kiteley, 36, dies of asphyxiation when homeowners (allegedly) catch him burgling their house and hold him on the ground until police arrive.(10) https://www.hamiltonnews.com/news-story/2268257-coroner-calls-for-inquest-in-death-of-suspected-burglar/">https://www.hamiltonnews.com/news-stor...
June 7, 2013: Steve Mesic, 45 and father-to-be, is shot dead by police in a state of severe mental/emotional distress after leaving a psych ward. His widow went on to sue the police (14) https://www.thespec.com/news/crime/2014/05/31/the-steve-mesic-story.html">https://www.thespec.com/news/crim...
Police would go on to arrest other activists from Pride. Far right demonstrations would go on weekly at City Hall for the rest of the year and beyond.(25)
There’s so much more to say about every one of these cases – the families’ pain, the inquests and lawsuits, the controversies and countless angry marches on the central station. These aren’t the only stories, either.(26)
In conclusion, it does happen here. It’s not new. It’s not just America. Hamilton has all the same problems with racial profiling, politicized policing, citizen vigilantism, and use of deadly force on people in crisis. We can and must do better. (end)
You can follow @altonjbyrne.
Tip: mention @twtextapp on a Twitter thread with the keyword “unroll” to get a link to it.

Latest Threads Unrolled: