The night after a woman was struck and killed by a police cruiser in a park, more than 60 people gathered at an intersection in downtown Winnipeg to demand answers.
“The police shouldn’t have done what they did because what are you doing travelling through a splash-pad that fast,” said Barb Guimond.
“The police need to be held accountable for what they do.”
According to a police statement, at 9:27 p.m. Monday evening, police were driving “an individual” to an encampment along the river in Fort Rouge Park.
“While operating their vehicle within the park they had a collision with a female in the area. Police provided emergency medical care to the female in her 30s. She was transported to hospital in critical condition and succumbed to her injuries,” the Sept. 3 statement from police said.
That woman was Tammy Batemen whose father was from Sandy Bay First Nation in Ontario. She also lived at the encampment along the river.
Her death is now being investigated by the Independent Investigation Unit which looks into incidents between the police and the public.
Some people say the IIU investigation won’t necessarily lead to accountability.
“We’re here because we want answers from police,” said Melissa Robinson “The police continue to fail our women. They’re here to protect and serve? What are they doing driving that erratic in a park?”
The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs released a statement calling for transparency during the investigation.
“Too often, the IIU has failed to hold police accountable for their role in the deaths of our people,” said Grand Chief Cathy Merrick. “Eishia Hudson, William Ahmo, Janine Walker, and John Ettawakapow are just a few names on a long list of victims for whom the IIU has cleared police of contributing to their deaths.
“What took place Monday night is not merely a set of tragic circumstances, and it is hard to see this most recent situation as anything other than police involvement leading to the loss of life.”
The sounds of drums and singing were shattered when a driver tried to push through people who attended the event.
While police blocked some intersections near Portage and Main, others remained open to traffic.
Volunteers used their bikes and bodies to try and stop the individual.
In a statement released late Wednesday afternoon, Winnipeg police said they were investigating the incident and that “no arrests have been made.”
MMIWG advocate and organizer Barb Guimond said she doesn’t want violence to take away from the demonstration’s message.
“This was supposed to be a peaceful protest and we’re supposed to be here for the family and that shouldn’t have happened at all,” she said. “And I’m sorry about that, and I’m sorry to the young girl who got hit by the guy.”
