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Joyce Echaquan’s husband is hugged by one of the couple’s children in Joliette, in the Canadian province of Quebec. Image from October 2.
“Racism is a virus,” chanted the thousands of protesters who filled the streets of Canadian Montreal with drums and chants on Saturday. The masses demand an end to what they believe to be structural racism against the country’s indigenous peoples after a controversial death.
Atikamekw’s wife Joyce Echaquan was on the brink of death when she was insulted and mocked by medical staff earlier this week. A movie that the mother of seven herself, Echaquan, shot shortly before she died shows her screaming for help, but is met by the words “you’re stupid in the head” and derogatory comments from nurses about her life choices.
During the protests over the weekend, a public inquiry was called for into the incident against the central government of the province of Quebec and its prime minister, François Legault. The protesters are also demanding that the government recognize that structural racism characterizes the French-speaking province. On Saturday afternoon, Québec’s security minister announced that an investigation would be launched.
Echaquan’s family plans to sue the hospital and the personnel involved.
