A group of walkers, mostly from British Columbia, stood on Parliament Hill today and called for justice for more than 3,000 missing and murdered Aboriginal women.
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Known as the walk4justice, the group left Vancouver on foot, June 21, National Aboriginal Day.
They are petitioning the Prime Minister for a public inquiry into the disappearances and deaths of women from all walks of life and urban and rural communities from across the country.
“These women didn’t deserve to die violent deaths as so many do,” said walk leader Gladys Radek, whose niece Tamara is on the list. ”It’s time to say no more violence against women.”
More than 300 people were on hand to welcome the walkers to Ottawa. Among the supporters were two dozen CUPE members from the National Aboriginal Council, the Ontario Aboriginal Council and the National Rainbow Committee.
“You are not alone,” CUPE National President Paul Moist told the rally. ”CUPE’s 570,000 members stand in solidarity with you.”
“Many of our Aboriginal council’s relations are on the missing list and one has been found murdered,” Moist said, speaking to the crowd after several family members had tearfully told their stories of missing a sister, mother, aunt, niece, daughter or granddaughter.
Roger Procyk from Manitoba is a regional Senator of CUPE’s National Aboriginal Council and a close friend to one of the murdered. He wants to see action now.
“We have to stop these tragedies from occurring. We need to gather in unity to get justice, equality and closure.”