It is in a context of “multiplication” of cases of racial profiling, in Montreal as elsewhere, that a twelve-hour marathon is being held this Saturday during which victims of such blunders will deliver their testimony in turn, in the hope of debunk the myths that still surround this phenomenon.
“Unfortunately I feel that there are people who are still skeptical, who think that it is black people who are complaining for nothing. These are stereotypes that are still well anchored in the population, ”notes the criminal lawyer and president of the Legal Clinic of Saint-Michel (CJSM), Fernando Belton.
It is therefore, among other things to dispel these myths that the second edition of the “Light on racial profiling” marathon takes place this Saturday, from 11 am to 11 pm, on the Instagram and Facebook platforms of the CJSM, a non-profit organization. lucrative that seeks to promote accessibility to justice in the Saint-Michel district. Victims of racial profiling will thus have the opportunity to share their experiences in order to raise public awareness, but also to break their isolation.
“Last year, there were people who came and it was the first time that they told what they were victims of. They had never told their families about it, ”says Belton. “For some, it brought back some wounds, it was difficult. But in the end, it’s liberating, ”adds the lawyer, who was himself“ shaken ”by several of the testimonies he heard last year.
In the first edition, 51 victims of racial profiling gave testimony and an equally large number is expected this year. Comedian Renzel Dashington has also volunteered to host this event again.
A “multiplication” of profiling cases
During this marathon, Fernando Belton and his colleague Nada Boumeftah, who is vice-president of the CJSM, will share legal information addressing various themes associated with racial profiling, particularly with regard to police stops. Mr. Belton counts among his clients, as counsel, many alleged victims of racial profiling by law enforcement.
“I would tell you that in 2020, we have seen an increase in cases of racial profiling occurring on the fringes of the George Floyd era […] It’s worrying, ”says Belton. On May 25, 2020, African-American George Floyd lost his life below the knee of police officer Derek Chauvin in Minneapolis. The white policeman was subsequently sentenced last June to 22.5 years in prison.
“It’s not just a problem happening in the United States, it is happening here too,” Belton said. The latter is also worried about the political response to the increase in the number of shootings in the metropolis. Both the City of Montreal and the Government of Quebec have promised to increase the number of police officers deployed in the streets to tackle this issue. “Eventually, it’s more profiling, so it is sure that it is worrying,” raises the lawyer. According to him, we need to focus more on crime prevention.
“We tackle the symptoms that are visible, but not those that are deeper,” he said.
I would tell you that in 2020, we have seen an increase in cases of racial profiling occurring on the fringes of the George Floyd era. […] It’s worrying.
Will Prosper, an inspiration
Special guests will also take part in this event, including retired Supreme Court judge Louis Lebel, who will take part in the discussions. A presence that Mr. Belton welcomes “because in the end, it is often before the courts” that alleged cases of racial profiling are decided, he notes. The fact, moreover, that the guest sat on the highest court in Canada, “it resonates even more for us,” he adds.
The member for Saint-Laurent and spokesperson for the Liberal Party of Quebec, Marwah Rizqy, will also be among the guests, as will the founder of Hoodstock, Will Prosper. The latter, who was Projet Montréal’s candidate for mayor of Montreal-North during the last municipal campaign, is behind the creation of Hoodstock, an organization that campaigns against systemic inequalities.
“I’ve been in the area of racial profiling and anti-racial profiling for a couple of years and Will, he’s an inspiration. He has been involved in this for twenty years and he is someone from whom we have a lot to learn, ”said Fernando Belton.
In anticipation of this event, the CJSM, which offers free legal consultations to residents of Saint-Michel, raised $ 37,000 in recent weeks thanks to a donation campaign. A sum of $ 15,000 was notably raised thanks to a benefit show on Friday evening in which rappers LOUD, Karma and Lova took part among others. The legal clinic’s target, however, is $ 75,000, an amount it hopes to raise by December 20.