To cries of "
Justice for the natives!"
","
Justice for Joyce!
Or "
racism is a virus!"
», Several thousand people, almost all masked because of the pandemic, demonstrated peacefully Saturday, October 3 in downtown Montreal to the rhythm of drums and traditional songs.
Read also: Anti-racism demonstrations: the societal and electoral future of this movement is still uncertain
“
Things have to change,
” said the president of the Native Women of Quebec association Viviane Michel.
"
This mobilization is starting to take place not only in Quebec but across the country and internationally
."
Joyce Echaquan was a 37-year-old woman, mother of seven and member of the Atikamekw Nation, who died earlier this week at Joliette Hospital in Montreal in controversial circumstances.
In a several-minute video that she filmed on her cell phone in her hospital bed and posted on Facebook, she is heard calling for help, screaming in pain as she wipes off insults and racist or degrading comments from the share of two hospital employees.
The young woman, hospitalized with stomach pain, passed away shortly after the video was recorded.
Shortly before the imposing procession set in motion, the speakers made repeated calls to the centrist government of Quebec Prime Minister François Legault to shed light on this tragedy and to recognize the existence of systemic racism in the French-speaking province.
Saturday afternoon, Quebec Minister of Justice Geneviève Guilbault declared that a public inquiry was going to be conducted into this tragedy.
The day before, Joyce Echaquan's family had announced their intention to sue the hospital and staff members involved in the incident.
Their lawyer also requested the opening of a police investigation.
Two other investigations have already been announced, in particular to determine the causes of death and possible negligence.