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Justice for Colten Boushie rally in NB

Supporters of Colten Boushie took their outrage over the verdict in the Gerald Stanley trial to the streets in North Battleford and throughout Canada Saturday.

Supporters of Colten Boushie took their outrage over the verdict in the Gerald Stanley trial to the streets in North Battleford and throughout Canada Saturday.

The area in front of the North Battleford courthouse was the scene for the local Justice for Colten Boushie rally. It was part of the National Day of Action organized by the Indigenous Joint Action Coalition.

About 70 or so supporters rallied in front of the court house starting at 1 p.m.; the scene was repeated throughout the country in Saskatoon, Regina, Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa and elsewhere.

A portion of Railway Avenue was closed off to traffic during the early part of the afternoon.

Several speakers spoke at the North Battleford rally. One of them was a still-emotional Alvin Baptiste, Colten’s uncle.

“Gerald Stanley has taken a life. Gerald Stanley’s family has blood on their hands,” said Baptiste, who accused Stanley of lying in court under oath.

“The only thing that will wash the blood off their hands is if they tell the truth. The truth will set them free.”

Baptiste also said he would be travelling to Saskatoon later in the day to meet with Premier Scott Moe, and repeated his intentions to meet federal officials on the issue of equality rights for native people.

Local lawyer Eleanore Sunchild said it isn't open season on Indigeneous people. There are things you can do, she said.

Her advice: write to the Minister of Justice, the Prime Minister, Saskatchewan Premier etc.. Keep rallying.

"We need to keep going."

She encouraged putting pressure on the Crown to appeal.

The Crown could have done more, she said; they weren't diligent enough.

She also recommended pushing for an inquiry of the case. Lots of injustice happened, she said, pointing to the selection of the jury and treating the people in the car as criminals and not the victims.

"In this town we have taken too much racism. Speak up about it. Say to them, 'Don't treat us like that. We won't take it anymore.'"