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The Bennis Family and Supporters to the Minister of Public Security: We Demand Justice For Anas!

On Wednesday, April 11th 2007, the Justice for Anas Coalition held a picket in front of the offices of Quebec's Minister of Public Security Jacques P. Dupuis, at the provincial courthouse in Montreal. Roughly fifty to sixty people joined the Bennis family to once again demand a public inquiry in order to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the death of Mohamed Anas Bennis, who was killed by Montreal police officer Bernier on December 1st, 2005 in Cote-des-Neiges neighbourhood.

"We're fed up and we want the truth!" chanted the demonstrators, whose signs repeated just some of the many questions which still remain unanswered today: why has Minister Dupuis refused to produce the security video footage of the events in question? why has he refused to release the police and prosecutor's reports? and why, if officer Bernier killed Anas in a case of legitimate self-defense, did the two bullets from his gun enter Anas' body from the top down?

Anas' two sisters, Khadija and Najlaa Bennis, each spoke, calling for the truth to be revealed, so that they can properly grieve their brother. Anas' father, Mohamed Bennis, also spoke, expressing his gratitude to all those who continue to demand justice for Anas sixteen months after his death. The Bennis family expressed their disgust with the secrecy, the extended delays and the contempt with which they have been treated by the Montreal police and the Quebec government throughout this ordeal.

Speakers included Mr Azdine Hmimssa of the Belagir Association, which had organized a demonstration on January 7th 2006 demanding a public inquiry into Anas' death, and Mr Dan Philips of the Black Coalition of Quebec, who expressed his outrage at the contempt with which the Quebec government has treated the Bennis family. Mr Philips was followed by Huguette Milbery, of Mothers United Against Racism, who talked about the widespread and systematic practice of racial profiling and police impunity. A member of the Justice For Anas Coalition spoke of the 37 people who have been killed by the Montreal police over the past twenty years, without a thing being done about it. In each of these cases, as in the case of Anas, the police investigate the police in an inherently flawed system incapable of gettnig at the truth. Richard Bergeron, a city councillor with Project Montreal, was also present. In a letter, he called for the resignation of Claude Dauphin, president of the Commission on Public Security, who has refused to answer any questions regarding the case of Anas, claiming that it is up to the Minister of Public Security to respond.

At one point during the picket, a delegation consisting of the Bennis family and members of the Justice For Anas Coalition went to Minister Dupuis' offices in order to hand deliver two letters. In these letters Anas' father Mohamed Bennis and his sister Khadija Bennis express their disbelief and frustration with the secrecy surrounding this case, and for which the Minister is responsible. They were not able to meet with any of the Minister's representatives, nor were they given an appointment for any subsequent meeting.

The Justice For Anas Coalition would like to thank everyone who came out to participate in this event, and invites everyone to continue to struggle for (1) the immediate release of all reports, evidence and information concerning the death of Anas Bennis; (2) a thorough and independent public inquiry into the death of Anas Bennis; (3) an end to police brutality and impunity. Over thirty organizations have already endorsed these demands.