People of colour shared their experiences with racism in Nelson and the West Kootenay at a demonstration outside city hall on Monday.
The event was held in solidarity with ongoing protests across Canada and the United States that ignited after George Floyd, a black man, died while being restrained by white police officer Derek Chauvin during an attempted arrest May 25 in Minneapolis.
Chauvin has since been fired and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
In Nelson, a moment of silence was held for victims of racial violence. Several speakers also shared stories of racism experienced in the city.
According to the 2016 census, 852 of Nelson’s 10,572 residents identify as a visible minority.
Related:
• George Floyd asphyxiated by sustained pressure: family autopsy
• ‘We’re sick of it’: Anger over police killings shatters U.S.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story stated George Floyd was killed by Derek Chauvin during the attempted arrest. That has not been proven in court.
@tyler_harper | tyler.harper@nelsonstar.com
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