Zara Adel was shocked to learn that police on Montreal’s South Shore had fatally shot 15-year-old Nooran Rezayi. The 11-year-old Afghan girl found it particularly poignant as she shares a similar background with the victim.
Attending a protest in Longueuil, Que., to honor Rezayi, Adel expressed her disbelief and called for justice, accompanied by her aunt and young brother. The tragic incident unfolded when police responded to a 911 call reporting a group of armed youths in the residential area.
Expressing her outrage, Adel demanded accountability, stating that the officer responsible should face consequences. She emphasized the unfairness of the situation, questioning what would happen if it were their own family member.
The independent police watchdog in Quebec revealed findings from the incident, including the recovery of a baseball bat and the officer’s firearm as the only weapon seized. Subsequent searches yielded a backpack and ski masks.
Following the shooting, the officer involved was placed on indefinite sick leave by the local police force. Protests continued, with demonstrators advocating for the adoption of body cameras by police officers to ensure transparency and accountability.
Organizer Francisco Fabian Castro spearheaded the protests to seek justice for Rezayi and highlighted the issue of systemic racism within the local police force. Castro, emphasizing the need for change, pointed out instances of discrimination faced by the community and the urgent necessity for reform.
As the protests unfolded, Marie-Claude Tremblay echoed the sentiment, expressing concern over the apparent lack of evidence indicating a threat posed by the boys involved. The community united in demanding justice and transparency from the authorities.
