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Man Convicted for Dangerous Driving During Residential School Memorial March

A man has been found guilty of dangerous driving after he used his vehicle to strike several individuals during a march honoring survivors of residential schools two years ago. The incident took place on June 4, 2022, in Mission, British Columbia.

Richard Manuel faced accusations of hitting four march participants with his pickup truck. While he acknowledged his presence behind the wheel, he denied making contact with any of the individuals.

Provincial Court Judge Edna Ritchie rendered her verdict on Monday, expressing skepticism regarding significant elements of Manuel’s testimony. She noted inconsistencies between his account and the statements provided by other witnesses.

After reviewing the evidence, Judge Ritchie determined that Manuel struck three people, including a flagger for the protest, and narrowly missed a fourth. Furthermore, she stated that he shouted racial slurs during the altercation and displayed a blatant disregard for the safety of those around him, including children.

Details of the Incident

The court was informed that around 150 individuals were marching from Heritage Park to the former St. Mary’s Residential School site when the incident occurred on Lougheed Highway. Crown prosecutors argued that Manuel’s frustrations over the blocked road drove him to act aggressively instead of seeking safety, labeling him as the aggressor.

Manuel’s defense team claimed that he did not instigate the conflict, suggesting that he reacted out of fear after demonstrators approached his vehicle. Defense lawyer Christopher Terepocki contended that demonstrators were threatening and had physically accosted his client, with claims of punches being thrown.

Conclusion

This case highlights ongoing tensions surrounding the commemoration of residential school survivors and the challenges faced by Indigenous communities in seeking recognition and justice. The court’s ruling serves as a reminder of the complex dynamics that can surface during such public demonstrations and the need for accountability in actions taken during moments of heightened emotion.

Source
globalnews.ca