Where were police? First Nations leaders raise questions after hit-and-run at B.C. march
B.C. First Nations leaders are questioning why the RCMP didn't send anyone to ensure public safety during last weekend's March for Recognition for Residential School Survivors, where two demonstrators were injured in an apparent hit-and-run.
There were no officers helping to control traffic during Saturday's march in Mission, as attendees walked to the site of the former St. Mary's Residential School. During the event, a pickup truck allegedly drove into the group, hitting four people then leaving the scene.
In a statement, the First Nations Leadership Council argued it is "incumbent" on law enforcement to ensure public safety during protests and other demonstrations, particularly those that take place on public roads.
"Indigenous Peoples, if they want to organize themselves and exercise their right to a peaceful protest … they should be able to do that knowing they can be safe, that they will be protected in doing so just like anybody else," said Cheryl Casimer of the First Nations Summit.
"They shouldn't have to worry about getting mowed down."
Mission RCMP confirmed the organizers of Saturday's march reached out last week to advise them of their plans. Const. Harrison Mohr told CTV News the detachment discussed the event but ultimately decided not to send police resources.
"In the interests of public safety, organizers were advised that the march needed to occur off the travel portion of the roadway," Mohn said in an email.
Participants at public marches routinely occupy parts of the roadway, and did so on Saturday.
Mission RCMP said decisions about whether to provide police resources at public events are "assessed on a case-by-case basis." CTV News asked for more information on how the detachment arrived at the decision not to send officers over the weekend, but has not heard back.
The detachment has come under fire for an early statement characterizing Saturday's incident as "an impatient driver (who) tried to get around a group of people marching on the highway."
Casimer called the RCMP's choice of words "just mind-boggling."
"If it had been an Indigenous person or a person of color who had done that, things would have been a lot different," she said.
"They just took it upon themselves to make that determination without even speaking to him first to say that he was an impatient driver… it just kind of leaves a bad taste in my mouth."
That statement has been removed from the Mission RCMP website.
Authorities confirmed a 77-year-old man has since turned himself in, and was subsequently released from custody.
The RCMP said the man has been co-operating with their investigation, and that his truck has been seized for examination.
In a second statement on the incident provided Monday, Mission RCMP acknowledged it has been "a traumatizing event for the people involved in the march, as well as the wider community."
Investigators asked any witnesses who haven't already spoken to police to come forward to help bolster their case.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.