Hundreds attend Boushie support rallies in Regina, Saskatoon

Hundreds of people rallied in front of Regina’s Court of Queen’s Bench Saturday morning in support of the late Colten Boushie and in protest to the acquitted Gerald Stanley.

Hundreds rallying in front of Court of Queen’s Bench in Regina in support of #ColtenBoushie and to protest the #stanleytrial‘s not guilty verdict. #yqr pic.twitter.com/2r9ywNTTE7

— Jessie Anton (@jessieanton_) February 10, 2018

Holding a sign that read “People Before Property,” Keisha Desjarlais said she was there to protest the visibly all-white jury.

“There was no representation for Indigenous people. (The jury) matched Gerald Stanley’s demographic more than they did Colten Boushie,” she said

Mylan Tootoosis stands at the microphone on the steps of Saskatoon’s Court of Queen’s Bench while his cousin Jade Tootoosis (right), an outspoken member of Colten Boushie’s family, cries. (Chris Vandenbreekel/650 CKOM)

As an Indigenous person herself, Desjarlais added Stanley’s not guilty verdict makes her frightful.

“I’m from a First Nation where my family does have to use back roads at times and flat tires do happen — just as easy as it was Colten Boushie, it could have been my brother.”

With a “Justice for Colten” sign in her hand, Rhonda Bird said she decided to participate in the rally as a way to show the pain many Indigenous people feel inside since the verdict came down Friday night.

“I feel that lives are more important than property and injustice was served to the First Nations people,” Bird said.

Along with many others, FSIN Vice-Chief Heather Bear addressed the demonstrators, saying they must remain peaceful in their pursuit of justice, but to never stand down for what they believe in.

“When we make change, let’s start within our own hearts — within our own families, in our own communities and let that extend to the greater community, the greater world,” Bear told the crowd.

Over in Saskatoon, about a thousand people also showed up to rally in front of the city’s Court of Queen’s Bench — including Boushie’s cousins, Jade and Mylan Tootoosis, as well as the Boushie family’s lawyer, Chris Murphy.

Rallies were also being held outside of Saskatchewan on Saturday — from Vancouver to Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

Hundreds already gathered for #yxe #ColtenBoushie rally. #StanleyTrial pic.twitter.com/6lIz7ZmTjk

— Chris Vandenbreekel (@Vandecision) February 10, 2018