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[source: NativeNews; Sun, 06 Feb 2000 21:03:09]

Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2000 17:58:15 -0800 (PST)
From: Cheryl Matthew <crae10@yahoo.com>

Native Youths Innocence Taken and Caucasian Adult
Males Run Free After Hate Crime Beating

Blatant discrimination and racism, was the reason behind the hate crime
beating of Native youth in Kamloops, BC.  Three Caucasian adult males
brutally assaulted 3 Native males, and 2 Native females as they tried to
run away.  One of the Caucasian males punched the 17 year old boy in
the back of the head, when he fell to the ground all three men began
kicking the 5 foot 4 youth until he was unconscious.  The men only
stopped because they thought he was dead, at which point they fled the
scene.  The Caucasian males even went so far as to assault the two
15 and 17 year old girls tackling and arm locking one, and throwing
one down on the ground and punching her in the face.
Throughout the altercation the Caucasian males made degrading racial
slurs towards the youths.

As if that was not bad enough the RCMP who arrived on the scene did
nothing but insinuate that the youth were lying.  The men had come out
of a downtown nightclub called the Jukebox Jive, back at the scene
the police did not write down any of the eye witness information, save for
the license plate number that was taken.  After, one of the boys was
hospitalised from his injuries the youth waited there for a ride back to
the Neskonlith Indian Band, and were extremely upset.  The police then
went on to tell the youth if they didn't get a ride back soon to their
reserve
they would take them into custody.  When the police did interview the
youth they again accused them of lying, interrogating them like they
were the perpetrators.

The incident was racially based, and it was adults beating up on minors.
No matter what the circumstance grown men should not chase down
and beat up minors of any color, this is not acceptable.  The police have
not even taken any action against these men.

During the healing circle that the community put on for the youth, one of
the girls said "I'm afraid that I'll never be the same again, that my
innocence is gone forever, and in some ways I'm afraid and hateful
of Caucasian men."  So how is it that the innocence of these young
people is stolen from them, along with their dignity, while these three
Caucasian adult males run free -- uncharged?

As a result of these actions youth in BC are gathering together to see
that justice will come of this case and that youth will have somewhere to
go, to be supported if incidents like this arise.  We have begun a massive
public campaign to see that the RCMP investigate and lay charges, and
that justice is served.  We are asking that people who are concerned
join in the letter writing/call campaign to the organizations listed below.
If you would like to become involved in Native Youth Action Advocacy
Committee, or would like a form complaint letter sent to you please contact
Cheryl Matthew at (604) 915-9253
E-mail at cmatthew@idmail.com

RCMP Public Complaints Commission
Western Region
102-7336 137th Street
Surrey, BC  V3W 1A4
1800-665-6878
604-501-4080

United Native Nations
Viola Thomas (they've already been advocating for the vicitimized youth)
626 Bute Street, Second Floor
Vancouver, BC V6E 3M1

BC Human Rights Commission
306-815 Hornby
Vancouver, BC
604-660-6811

BC Human Rights Coalition
Ste 718-744 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC V6C 1A5
604-689-7511
604-689-8474

BC Human Rights Tribunal
604-775-2000
1-888-440-8844

Canadian Human Rights Commission
750-605 Robson Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 5J3
Grace Chung
1-800-999-6899
1-604-666-0933

BC Organization to Fight Racism
PO Box 661
King George Highway
Surrey, BC V3T 2X6

Committee for Racial Justice
Ste. 5, 1241 Homer Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 2Y9

Canadian Anti-Racism Education and Research Society
100667 - 135A Street
Surrey, BC

Catherine McGregor MLA
103 - 125 4th Avenue
Kamloops, BC V2C 3N3

Nelson Riis, MP
3 - 643 Fortune Drive
Kamloops, BC V2B 2K4

Mel Rothenburger
City Hall - Kamloops
7 West Victoria Street
Kamloops, BC

Union of BC Indian Chiefs
Stuart Phillips
700 - 73 Water Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 1A1

=====
Cheryl R. Matthew
Continuum Consulting
"The Circle Workshops"
Youth Leadership & Communications Workshops/Advocacy
#1006-1323 Homer Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 5T1
Telephone: (604) 915-9253
cmatthew@idmail.com
 

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