The family of Jannai Dopwell-Bailey, a 16-year-old black teenager, stabbed to death in the parking lot of his school on October 18 in the Côte-des-Neiges neighborhood, protested that they were not entitled to the same consideration as the close to Thomas Trudel, also 16, assassinated on Sunday evening in the Saint-Michel district.
“There is a double standard,” said his brother Tyrese Dopwell-Bailey, Friday, leaving the church after the funeral of the teenager. “We have a lot of support from the community, but not from the leaders and people in power. We are in pain as much as Thomas’ family, but we are not treated the same. ”
“A lot of people swept Jannai’s death under the carpet. But he wasn’t just a black child, he was a child! », Added his cousin, Onicha John.
PHOTO SARAH MONGEAU-BIRKETT, THE PRESS
According to Tyrese Dopwell-Bailey, brother of Jannai Dopwell-Bailey, Mayor Plante was invited to attend a candlelight vigil held last October 22 in Jannai’s memory, but did not respond to the invitation.
This week, the mayoress of Montreal Valérie Plante came to the scene of the murder of Thomas Trudel in the company of the chief of police, Sylvain Caron. The Premier of Quebec François Legault also went to meditate at the site of the tragedy.
According to Tyrese Dopwell-Bailey, Mayor Plante was invited to attend a candlelight vigil last October 22 in memory of Jannai, but did not respond to the invitation.
PHOTO CATHERINE LEFEBVRE, LAPRESSE
Tyrese Dopwell-Bailey, brother of Jannai Dopwell-Bailey
Valérie Plante is very involved in the murder of Thomas which has just happened, but we have not received the same commitment from her.
Tyrese Dopwell-Bailey, brother of Jannai Dopwell-Bailey
The death of Thomas Trudel, another 16-year-old killed in less than a month in Montreal, is a tragedy, said Onicha John.
“This violence between young people must stop. This is real life, this is not a video game. I hope that with this second tragedy, governments will do something, ”she asks.
Asked about the absence of Mme Plant at the vigil in memory of Jannai Dopwell-Bailey, his cabinet replied that the mayor was deeply upset by this tragedy, stressing that the mayoress elected of the borough of Côte-des-Neiges – Notre-Dame-de-Grâce , Gracia Kasoki Katahwa, and District Councilor Magda Popeanu attended.
“Don’t look for trouble”
The mother of the victim, Charla Dopwell, for her part sent this message to the young people: “Follow your dreams, and do not seek trouble!” “.
PHOTO CATHERINE LEFEBVRE, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Charla Dopwell, mother of Jannai Dopwell-Bailey
My son didn’t deserve this, he was only 16 years old. He was a beautiful soul. It is very difficult for us.
Charla Dopwell, mother of Jannai Dopwell-Bailey
The grieving mother had just attended the funeral ceremony organized in memory of Jannai at the Anglican Church of Saint-Paul, in the Côte-des-Neiges district. The little church was packed. Several teenagers, their eyes red with tears, had to stand for the entire celebration.
“What if Justin Trudeau had been killed at 16? “, Launched the cousin of the victim, Kevin George, in his tribute to the teenager. “And François Legault? And Valérie Plante? And Martin Luther King? And Albert Einstein? What about Bob Marley? He added, to show how tragic it was to die so young.
“Every child is important, regardless of the color of their skin, the language they speak or the neighborhood in which they live. ”
Mr. George drew the portrait of a teenager, nicknamed Twizzy, playful, energetic, curious, passionate about dance and rap. Jannai had recently recorded his first rap piece in a studio, he recalled.
“Your voice demands justice,” he said. She speaks out to make this world a better place for our children. ”
No child should have to go through what Jannai went through after school in this schoolyard. Every individual, every family and those in power must make the changes necessary to transform our neighborhoods and communities into oases of hope.
Kevin George, cousin of Jannai Dopwell-Bailey
The emotion was at its height when Charla Dopwell burst into tears and uttered heartbreaking complaints, as a musician performed the song “I Will Always Love You”.
But happy memories were also evoked. His brother recalled that Jannai liked to correct the grammar mistakes of those close to him and that he had already taught his bird to perform feats.
“If we can learn a lesson from this tragedy, it is that we must tell our children that they are beautiful, that they have talent. You have to encourage them and tell them that they can make their dreams come true, ”he concluded.
A 16-year-old was arrested days after Jannai Dopwell-Bailey’s death and charged with second degree murder. On October 26, he withdrew his release investigation and therefore remained in detention.
He is due back before the judge on November 30. The crown has already indicated its intention to seek an adult sentence in this case.
Following the death of Jannai Dopwell-Bailey, a video circulated on social networks in which hooded youths ridiculed his death, including brandishing a long knife, while taunting the friends of the victim.