Wynne walks into Black Lives Matter protest, promises to meet with organizers
Posted April 4, 2016 11:12 am.
Last Updated April 4, 2016 7:45 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Premier Kathleen Wynne waded into a raucous group of Black Lives Matter protesters outside of Queen’s Park on Monday, promising to meet with organizers to discuss their allegations of systemic racism and lack of police transparency.
“I apologize if we haven’t responded as quickly as you would have liked,” Wynne said to scattered cries of “’Shame!'”
“But here I am saying we are willing to meet with you.”
Black Lives Matter activists March from Toronto Police HQ to Queen’s Park for protest. pic.twitter.com/nAjoGrLMEz
— Kevin Misener (@Misener680NEWS) April 4, 2016
Black Lives Matter organizer Yusra Kholgali said face-time with Wynne was long overdue.
“She is a politician that is accountable to us,” she said. “The fact that it’s taken two weeks for her to respond to us is disgusting.”
Premier comes outside Queens Park to talk to Black Lives Matter protestors pic.twitter.com/mqnVjthxjK — Cynthia Mulligan (@CityCynthia) April 4, 2016
“We need your help reviewing SIU” premier to black lives matter protestors pic.twitter.com/kJcc6NskZ5
— Cynthia Mulligan (@CityCynthia) April 4, 2016
Premier w protestors. I’ve never seen anything quite like this from Wynne before pic.twitter.com/8Vp6y21LJL — Cynthia Mulligan (@CityCynthia) April 4, 2016
The tense face-off came just days after the group staged a vigil for Andrew Loku outside of the premier’s home, sparking a police investigation.
Loku was shot and killed by Toronto police last July. No charges were laid after the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) ruled the officers’ actions were justified after Loku approached them armed with a hammer.
Black Lives Matter protestors says making progress but shouldn’t have taken premier 2 weeks to talk 2them @CityNews pic.twitter.com/bUqaVePPXu — Cynthia Mulligan (@CityCynthia) April 4, 2016
The group has been camping out in front of Toronto police headquarters for the past two weeks, demanding a provincial review of the SIU. They also want the names of officers involved in Loku’s shooting to be released.
Black Lives Matter protesters also made headlines for storming city council on Friday, moments after a motion asking council to request a provincial review of police services in Toronto and of the SIU unanimously passed.
