Français English

VIGIL AND PICKET: JUSTICE FOR ANAS BENNIS!

3PM, Tuesday, December 1st, 2009
Kent and Côte-Des-Neiges
(Côte-Des-Neiges metro; Bus 165 North)

Join us in remembering Mohamed Anas Bennis, killed by Montreal police almost four years ago, and to support the fight for the Bennis family’s continued demand for a public inquiry.

Family-friendly rally!! Bring your placards and banners!!

On December 1, 2005, Mohamed Anas Bennis, a 25-year old Canadian of Moroccan origin, was killed by Montreal police officer Yannick Bernier after morning prayers in his neighbourhood of Côte-des-Neiges. Since, there has been a veil of secrecy that has clouded the circumstances that led to his death while many of Anas’ family's questions remain unanswered. December 1st, 2009 will mark four years since Anas' death. Four years and still no justice!

In June 2008, Quebec’s chief coroner, Louise Nolet, announced that she had ordered a coroner’s inquiry into Anas’ death. Although this was not a full and independent inquiry as the Justice for Anas Coalition had been demanding since its formation in January 2007, it was nevertheless an important, albeit partial, victory.

However, in late August 2008, the Montreal Police Brotherhood filed a legal motion against coroner Rudel-Tessier, the hearings of which are set to continue in January 2010. The motion was filed to prevent the coroner’s inquest from taking place, alleging that all of the answers had already been made available. Yet, up until now, the family has not received answers to many of their questions: why has the knife that Anas supposedly used -- according to the police version of the events -- never been produced or undergone forensic evaluation? Why has the video of the scene never been made public? Why have the police officers Bernier and Roy never been cross-examined on their version of the facts as would occur in any criminal investigation in which someone was murdered?

Four years later, the Bennis family and the public are hardly any closer to understanding exactly why Anas, who was described as a mild-mannered and sensitive person, was killed by the Montreal police the morning of December 1^st 2005. The Bennis family has been met with disrespect and disdain on the part of government bodies in its multiple attempts to obtain the only thing that can reveal what really happened: a full, public and independent inquiry into Anas’ death. The importance of a public inquiry is made all the more pertinent in light of recent revelations from the Villanueva public inquiry that demonstrate that police cannot be relied upon to investigate themselves.

Like many others, Anas was a victim of the SPVM. On December 1st 2009, let us honour his memory and renew our call for justice in his death. Please join us on December 1st at the corner of Côte-Des-Neiges and Kent to denounce the impunity of the montreal police and to remember Anas, and all the victims of police murders.

In solidarity,

Justice For Anas Coalition

The Justice for Anas Coalition
514.342.2111
justicepouranas@gmail.com