EVERYTHING EVERYTHI ING YOU UN NEED EED IN ONE NEW NEWSPAPER WSPAPER TO ADVERTISE: 647-722-6298 • ONLINE: TORONTOCARIBBEAN.COM TOR OR O RON ONTO T CARI RIIB R BB B BEAN.CO CO C OM • VO V VOLUME OLUME E 4 • ISSU ISSUE UE 3 • W UE WEDNESDAY, ED E DN NE ES SD DAY, MARCH H 25 2 25TH 5TH TH 2 2015 015 01 15
POLICE CARDING Photo: Dewitt Lee
PROTESTORS DEMAND POLICE ACT ON POLICIES THAT WILL CURB POLICE CARDING IN BLACK COMMUNITIES
JORDAN MAXWELL/TORONTO CARIBBEAN
A group of passionate protestors lined the sidewalk and steps of the 31 Division near Jane and Finch to demand police act on a set of policies that will ostensibly curb police carding in black communities. “We are more focused on the murders in our city that are still unsolved,” said Dewitt Lee, a former mayoral candidate and activist in Toronto. “We’re trying to work with police and members of the community to bring to justice the lives that were taken and those most affected by it. The fact that youth are being targeted, and that they’re dying as the killers are running free must stop. We have to stand up to the police and tell them that we want justice. This is what the march is all about
as we fight for results. Lee’s comments come just over a week after the cancellation of a police board meeting on March 2nd wherein they were called out by activists and community interest groups for continuing to procrastinate on new guidelines and policies expected to curb carding amongst minorities, namely those in the black community. A rally was held at City Hall in Toronto on March 21st against police violence and brutality, which also made international headlines, and a similar gathering at 40 College St. on March 19th. Protests were planned outside of Toronto Police headquarters a couple of weeks ago and more than two dozen protestors kept up the momentum as many
were outraged that the meeting to address community contacts was cancelled, seemingly last minute, after months of lobbying and hearings. With Toronto police Chief Bill Blair due to leave his Chief’s chair next month, many have their reservations about the process and why such guidelines are being protected from interest groups who have a huge stake in the outcome. Audrey Campbell, past president and cochair at the Jamaican Canadian Association, said that she retains hope that the implementation process will go smoothly and added that Bill Blair has no choice but to get this done before he leaves office in April. Continued On Page 10