The Justice for Alwy Campaign needs your support and solidarity starting March 22.
On Halloween Night, 2007 Alwy Al Nadhir, a young high school student was murdered. Not by another young racialized man- the violence that is to often exclusively portrayed in the media- but by a Toronto Police Officer. Alwy was unarmed, and shot to death in a manner which screams execution.
Instead of investigating the ‘shooting’, with transparency, the SIU (provincial body supposed meant to independently investigate police violence), whitewashed the crime and exonerated the officers involved. The report released by the SIU contradicts information given to the family as well as other reports on Alwy’s killing.
Police violence is unfortunately a daily reality in many of Toronto’s poor communities; and officers are almost never held accountable for their excessive force and brutalization. The corporate media, judicial system and investigation process are always labelling the victims of police brutality as criminals, when the real criminals – those who are supposed to be protecting us – continuously get away with murder. There are countless cases of police brutality in our city – But the province does not have the internal mechanisms to address police brutality. Since 2003, the SIU has cleared police of wrongdoing in 31 of 31 fatal shooting cases.
Now, beginning on March 22nd a coroner’s inquest is being held on Alwy’s murder. This is a non-criminal investigation that is unable to bring the police involved to justice. However, jurors are able to put forward recommendations if it is determined the cops did something wrong. More importantly this will be a time when the Toronto Police Force will attempt to further criminalize Alwy, tarnish his memory and justify his killing. His family will be present at the inquest, and needs as much support as they can get!
The Justice For Alwy Campaign Against Police Brutality, Alwy’s family, and the Lawyers for the al-Nadhir Family, ask that you come out to the inquest and show the police that despite their exoneration by the corrupt SIU, the people support victims of police brutality!
It will also give us a chance to view the incredulous nature of our legal system when the state kills one of our own – up close.
WE NEED TO FILL UP THE CORONER’S COURT!
This will ensure that the judge and police lawyers are not able to dominate the proceedings, and importantly, show that we have not forgotten about Alwy and that we, the people, continue to struggle against police brutality.
The inquest starts at 10:00 AM on Monday March 22nd, at the coroner’s office 15 Grosvner Street (2 lights from Yonge/College)
It will run until 4pm, and will follow this time frame (10am to around 4pm) for every week day for 2-3 weeks.
Any time you are free we ask you come out to lend support to the family and show the province their sham processes will not break our resolve and struggle for justice!
Email
[email protected]
for further info.
Comments
