Rally calling for ‘accountability and change’ planned in response to fatal police-involved shooting
Posted Feb 23, 2024 04:45:17 AM.
Last Updated Feb 23, 2024 09:05:38 AM.
A rally to call for accountability and change is planned for Friday in response to a fatal police-involved shooting on Monday.
The shooting happened in Kitchener when a Waterloo Regional Police Service officer shot and killed 31-year-old Nicholas Nembhard.
Acer Bonaparte is the media liaison for the group, which includes Ground Up Waterloo Region, Fightback KW, and Queer Youth Defense.
Bonaparte said their group would like to see a reallocation of police funds into social and community services, adding that they think police are ill-equipped to deal with wellness checks and mental health emergencies.
“We need to hold space for him and for people in our community, especially Black and other marginalized folk, who have experienced violence in all forms,” said Bonaparte.
Bonaparte also noted that Nembhard was a Black male, and pointed to the systemic racism they believe is present in our society. This after the African, Caribbean, Black Network of Waterloo Region issued a statement condemning police violence.
The Special Investigations Unit is looking into the shooting.
The rally will start at 4 p.m. in front of the police station on Frederick Street in Kitchener.
