2 Women Face Charges After They Attacked Winnipeg BLM Protesters With Hockey Sticks
Protesting for justice can sometimes put people in harm's way. Police have officially laid charges against individuals who attacked Winnipeg Black Lives Matter protest participants with hockey sticks. The incident, which was caught on video, occurred in July.
This article contains graphic content that might not be suitable for some readers.
The authorities outlined the charges in an August 24 news release, citing the events of July 4.
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"Two adults, a male and a female, were involved in a political demonstration that was taking place at the Manitoba Legislature," it reads.
"While participating in the protest, they became involved in a confrontation with the occupants of a vehicle attempting to drive in the area."
It says that the people in the car exited and began attacking the two protesters with hockey sticks.
An investigation by the Winnipeg Police resulted in two of the suspects being identified.
The two women were not named in the release, but it does confirm their ages as 24 and 29.
Both were charged twice with assault with a weapon. They have been released on Appearance Notices.
Neither of the victims of the attack required medical attention.
The incident was caught on video and posted on Twitter on July 5.
In it, a woman is seen exiting the back of the car and chasing one of the protesters while holding a hockey stick.
One of the other protesters tries to get the stick away from her and is hit in the head.
The user who posted the video claimed that more happened after the video cuts off, including one of the other women from the car throwing a glass.
They also said that the attackers stole a phone from one of the protesters as it fell to the ground before driving off.
"This was a peaceful protest. This did not have to happen. This does happen in Canada. Right here in Winnipeg. There's so much anger and hate in some people that they cowardly take it out on unharmed individuals. Black Lives do Matter Indigenous Lives do Matter," the Twitter user wrote.
Similar protests happened across Canada this summer to draw attention to racial inequality and police brutality.