By Gerald V. Paul
Black Lives Matter Toronto staged a blockade outside the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) headquarters in Mississauga, on Wednesday to protest of the death of Abdirahman Abdi.
Abdi, a Somali-Canadian man, was shot by police in Ottawa last July 24 .The shooting drew renewed public criticism of the deaths of Black men in confrontation with the police .
According to neighbours, Abdi was alleged to have had an unspecified mental illness.
Community leader Debbi Douglas told The Caribbean Camera that she was pleased that “ young activists are taking up the cause. We need to hold the SIU accountable.”
“ We need to have a serious, comprehensive, transparent review of the SIU practices,” she added.
She said she is hoping the community will come out in full support for BLMTO as they fight for social justice, in the quest for change.