Winnipeg activists marched on Saturday to mark International Day Against Police Brutality.
Organizers said the march is being held "against a backdrop of police violence and brutality that ranges from individual violations of civil liberties on the streets of Winnipeg to the massive police repression witnessed at last year's G8/G20 Summit in Toronto."
Marchers began Selkirk and Powers and made their way to the courthouse. They held signs with slogans including, "It's okay to hate the cops" and chanted "Police brutality. We demand accountability."
The group didn't get a permit from police for the march. Officers told the marchers to stay on the curb lanes of the roads.
Robert McGregor, a designated spokesperson for the group, said they didn't get a permit for the march because the marchers have been antagonized by police in Winnipeg in the past.
"We're marching also to promote a list of demands that we have of the police and the different levels of government regarding the police and systemic problems of the justice system," McGregor said.
The group published a list of demands, including the creation of a civilian police oversight board.
Recently, Justice Minister Andrew Swan said announced the names of civilians on the Manitoba Police Commission. Swan said that is another step towards establishing an independent investigation unit to monitor investigation of police officers and police incidents. The commission will recruit and train the civilians who will monitor the work of the independent investigation unit.
The list of demands also includes stopping the use of Tasers, installing video cameras and microphones in police cruisers, detention rooms and interview rooms.
International Day Against Police Brutality is March 15, but events are typically also held in the surrounding days.
