'Justice For Mona Wang' Protests Are Set To Pop Up Around BC This Weekend
The controversial Kelowna wellness check video has people taking to the streets. Based on videos that emerged on June 23, UBCO student, Mona Wang was seen getting dragged and stepped on by an RCMP Officer during a wellness check. As a result, "Justice For Mona Wang" protests are now being planned for four locations across B.C.
Based on a post shared by Mona Wang on her Instagram page, all four protests are set to take place on Saturday, July 11 between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
The protest in Vancouver will take place at the Art Gallery Plaza. Other demonstrations for Mona Wang are to happen in Minoru Park, Richmond; Stuart Park in Kelowna, and by the RCMP Headquarters in Surrey.
"Show your support and protest for better wellness checks and accountability for police misconduct," reads the protest poster.
Wang noted that she'll be at the Vancouver protest on Saturday.
Masks are mandatory to take part in the protests, and a limited number will be available if you forget.
A petition called "Justice For Mona Wang" has also been gaining momentum. 364,673 people have signed the petition at the time of writing.
The petition begins by discussing the events from the video. "Video footage from Wang's apartment building shows Browning dragging Wang's semi-conscious body by the arms down the hallway and over to the entrance of the building," it reads.
The officer who responded to the wellness check, Lacey Browning, is also accused of stepping on Wang's head during the confrontation.
The petition calls on the RCMP to "fire Officer Lacey Browning and charge her with assault."
An RCMP chief issued an apology to Mona Wang on Friday, July 3. While an investigation is underway regarding this particular police wellness check, Browning, as of Monday, July 6, has been placed on administrative duties.
"We need to do better for our citizens struggling with their mental health. They should be met with trained professionals, not uniformed officers," reads the petition.
A protest in support of Mona Wang also took place in Calgary, Alberta on Saturday, July 4, according to CBC News. About 100 people showed up.