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Report-back from vigil
Montreal, December 23, 2009 – Several dozen people gathered for a vigil at the corner of Kent and Côte-des-Neiges streets on December 1, 2009, to commemorate the death anniversary of Mohamed Anas Bennis and to denounce police violence. Bennis was killed by officer Yannick Bernier of the Montreal police force on December 1, 2005.
In response to a call by the Justice for Anas Coalition, demonstrators at the vigil chanted slogans in support of the Bennis family’s call for a public inquiry into the death of Anas, while denouncing police impunity. Mohamed Bennis, Anas’ father, was present at the vigil, along with representatives of human rights organizations and anti-police brutality groups, and others who support the Bennis family and the Coalition.
Members of the Coalition recalled that 4 years after Anas’ death, his family is still waiting for answers to their questions about the circumstances that led to his death. In particular, we denounced the Montreal Police Brotherhood, which filed a motion in Quebec Superior Court to prevent a coroner’s inquiry (originally called to shed light on the circumstances surrounding Anas’ death) from proceeding. The hearings for this motion are supposed to resume either on January 20th or 21st, 2010, at the Palais de Justice.
Mohamed Bennis denounced the Brotherhood, suggesting that it discredits the profession of policing by actively seeking to hide the truth from the public. He thanked all those present who continue to support the family in their struggle. Philippe Robert de Massy, of the Ligue des Droits et Libertés, stated that the police should have the confidence of the people, but that in order for this to happen, it would have to be accountable when it commits abuses. Alexandre Popovic, of the Coalition Against Repression and Police Abuse that has been active in the case of Fredy Villanueva in Montreal-North, asserted that if officer Bernier is “fed up” with this matter as he proclaims to be, he should hold the Brotherhood responsible, since it is the Brotherhood that is responsible for the delays that are dragging this matter out after filing its motion to prevent the coroner’s inquiry from proceeding. Finally, Pat Cadorette, of the Collective Opposed to Police Brutality, denounced the systemic and institutionalized nature of police abuses and the impunity from which the police benefit.
Those present at the vigil were only a few metres away from the spot where Anas was killed four years ago, reminding residents of the Côte-des-Neiges neighborhood about something that they know all too well already: police abuse and racial profiling. The Coalition would like to thank all those who came out to the vigil.
The organizers of the vigil encouraged those present to follow the situation as it develops and to attend the court hearings when they resume in January, during which time the Bennis family’s lawyer will make his arguments in favor of a public inquiry. Following these hearings, the judge will decide whether the coroner’s inquest, called by Louise Nolet in June 2008, will finally be allowed to proceed. Another coroner’s inquiry, called following the death of Michel Berniquez (who was killed following a brutal police intervention involving 6 officers in June 2003), has been successfully quashed by the Brotherhood already. This decision is currently being appealed.
It is important to continue to assert the importance of a public inquiry to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the death of Anas Bennis. This would provide a first step towards some semblance of transparency and police accountability.
For an independent news report pertaining to the 4th year anniversary of Anas’ death, click here!
Justice and truth for Anas!