BLM stops traffic at busy intersection for Abdirahman Abdi

[Inactive]

Black Lives Matter Toronto (BLMTO) briefly shut down the intersection of Yonge and Dundas to demand justice in the death of Ottawa's Abdirahman Abdi.

Abdi, 37, died after what witnesses have said was a violent arrest on July 24. Ontario's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is now investigating two Ottawa police constables in connection with Abdi's death and both have been suspended with pay.

Those who knew Abdi said told CBC News the man had mental health issues but described him as a gentle person. Prior to the altercation, police were notified that Abdi had been groping people inside a nearby coffee shop.

On Monday, BLMTO said this isn't just an issue in Ottawa and issued a series of demands including that the SIU — the provincial agency that investigates any interaction with police that results in a death, serious injury or allegation of sexual assault — lay charges against the police officers involved in Abdi's death.

BLMTO also called for the SIU to release its entire report into the Abdi case and release any race-based data that it keeps.

Sitting in the middle of the normally bustling intersection, BLMTO representatives said they would keep shutting down public spaces until there's an "overhaul" of the SIU.

Previously, BLMTO staged an event at Ryerson University for the community to mourn Abdi's death but also to discuss the issues surrounding it.

The group pointed out there are some similarities between Abdi's death and that of black men who have died following interactions with Toronto police.

The intersection reopened just before 9:30 a.m.

BLMTO posted this video from the morning protest.

 

[Mohamud]

That's THE busiest intersection

And I can't stand political displays like thus. Show solidarity but why f*ck up someone's morning commute?

 

[maestro]

Why is BLM in Canada?

 

[MARAQ DIGAAG]

blm is more likely to fight for your Rights if you die unjustly as a Somali than the so called Somali community .perhaps we should cut blm some slack ?

 

[maestro]

blm is more likely to fight for your Rights if you die unjustly as a Somali than the so called Somali community .perhaps we should cut blm some slack ?

BLM should be fighting where they are needed most. Canada police aren't as out of control as the American ones.

 

[Mohamud]

Why is BLM in Canada?

It's a valid question. An American group (or at least a group popularized by America) shouldn't have the same presence in a country like Canada that lacks the same history of slavery and oppression.

Fighting for coloured people as a minority group in a larger, whiter populous is fine but this group shouldn't be named after the american variety and it shouldn't be employing the same tactics.

Canada ain't America. Period.

 

[Lord Flacko]

blm is more likely to fight for your Rights if you die unjustly as a Somali than the so called Somali community .perhaps we should cut blm some slack ?

They're hijacking the death of a Somali man to spread their agenda. They're not talking to the police, attorneys/lawyers, media or such but instead occupying a street and shouting some random shit. If they cared about Abdirahman Abdi they would atleast do something, instead of shouting "Justice" or whatever. That's not how it works. But nah his name to them is just something they'll pick up then throw away when they're done.

If they're actually doing something besides this then I'll retract my statement.


And anyways they're only hijacking the man's death because they have literally nothing else to hijack. It's fucking Canada.