A rumor that a mounted police officer fatally trampled a protester in Ottawa began circulating online Friday night. And if the information was quickly denied by the police, the presence of horses in the federal capital continues to make people talk.
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On Friday night, Fox News reporter Sara A. Carter claimed on Twitter that a woman died after being knocked down by police on horseback.
Ottawa police quickly corrected the situation, saying no one was seriously injured or died during the operation to remove protesters who have occupied downtown Ottawa for 23 days now.
Although the information was denied by the police, it quickly spread among the demonstrators. A doubt persisted on social networks until this morning.
Angela Price, wife of Montreal Canadiens star goaltender Carey Price, shared a photo on Instagram, saying she prayed for the woman to be alive.
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You don’t have to share anything
Before sharing such information, it is necessary to verify its sources, indicates the head of the journalism program at UQAM, Patrick White. This is even more true on social networks, where everything is shared very quickly.
“If it were true, the police and the traditional media would have confirmed it,” assures the journalist.
During events such as the demonstration in Ottawa, Patrick White also recommends turning to the local media or press agencies, which are on the ground, rather than to the international media.
Images that make people react
On social networks, however, the very presence of mounted police raises questions.
Footage of what appears to be protesters being run over by mounted police in the federal capital is being shared on Twitter.
But why do the Ottawa police use horses?
“Horses can be used to convince people to leave an illegal demonstration,” explains Stéphane Wall, retired SPVM supervisor specializing in the judicious use of force.
AFP
Their imposing presence may be enough to persuade many to leave, he continues.
Police can use horses to create division in a tight crowd. However, the police rarely use them for this reason.
It is for this purpose that the mounted police officers, who are officers of the City of Toronto Police Service, were reportedly used Friday in the federal capital.
While horses often prove useful to police, their use can be risky. A horse was also injured on Friday, reports the Ottawa police. The animal fell after receiving a bicycle thrown at him.
In some cases, horses can also become a danger to opponents. “The animal is so powerful that if it is in contact with someone, the horse will win,” he concludes.