Editor:
This Sunday, I will join the gathering of family and friends of Hudson Brooks, and others like me, looking for answers. As a Canadian, I don’t like the idea of shots in the night followed by silence from the authorities.
Our community has waited nearly seven months for more than a two-sentence statement and two feeble excuses – ‘We have no control over time to receive reports’ and ‘the lab is still working on 2014’ (Mourners march as they wait, Oct. 16).
I know this is a tragedy and respect the RCMP, but I expect an extra effort to reassure the public, not a stall.
Where are our leaders on this issue? Do the mayor and councillors think this is good enough? What about the premier and MLAs, and our MP? Who’s in charge of this “lab” and why haven’t they stepped up to the plate?
This Sunday, Feb. 21, 4 p.m., at 17 Avenue and 152 Street, stand up and be counted.
C. Fenton, Surrey
• • •
Re: Silence is Killing Me: Hudson’s Mom, Jan. 15.
Thank you Peace Arch News for your front-page article on the pain Hudson’s family is going through.
I have no problem with PAN putting Hudson’s picture on the front page until the report comes through. Seems appropriate somehow.
Wishing peace for Hudson’s mom and dad, along with his siblings and friends.
Marilyn E. Pearson, Surrey
• • •
A few months ago, Canadians were shaken to their roots after seeing a picture of a small son lying dead on a beach in a far away land.
More than six months ago, another son, albeit a young adult, one of our own sons, a Canadian, lay dead on the streets of Surrey. Dead in a land called a “safe haven.” Dead by a bullet from the RCMP, hired to protect us.
The dead boy, the dead son, the dead brother, the dead neighbour, the dead friend was unarmed, and reportedly without history of violence.
The alleged statements by police, as reported in media, suggest this unarmed lad was yelling or causing a disturbance. What is the proof? Where is the proof?
Are the police waiting to see if any witnesses come forward before they explain? What explains the long, unnecessary delay in providing an honest, detailed statement containing proven facts? We do not know.
The RCMP had guns and wounds. Only guns belonging to the RCMP were found on the scene.
Do we not care about our own people? Our neighbour’s son? Does he not matter?
What about those armed police? Are they still working, being paid, getting on with life while being protected by the lack of information? Does anyone care? Does this dead son matter? Did he have the potential for leading a lawful life that contributed to Canadian society? Is his life less valuable than another?
Can we all work to bring answers to a distraught neighbour and family? Can the same caring shown to a son of foreign lands be shown to this family?
When we choose to do nothing, we create, in the long term, the same disorder and chaos that are luring Canadian youth to other countries but driving resident adults with children out of their ancestral lands.
If we do nothing, how long until it is my son, my grandchild, my nephew, my neighbour?
As individuals living in a free society, do we not have an obligation to prevent those in a position of power from running amok? Can we not gather around this traumatized and hurting family, nurture them with our caring while demanding legitimate answers?
Elizabeth Miller, White Rock