Both the Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA) and the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) released statements expressing their condolences regarding the death of Somali-Canadian Abdirahman Abdi following an altercation with Ottawa police.

The GSA statement, released jointly with the Muslim Students’ Association (MSA), calls on Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson and other local politicians to take action against racism within the Ottawa Police Service (OPS).

“This violence by Ottawa police is another brutal example of the racism, anti-blackness, and ableism embedded in the ranks of our city’s law enforcement,” the statement reads.

CUSA, in a statement posted on its Facebook page, said the Association was “heartbroken to learn about the passing of Abdirahman Abdi on July 24.”

“This terrible tragedy is a reminder that police brutality and institutional racism still exist in Canada today and must urgently be addressed by our governments as well as by law enforcement agencies across the country,” the statement continued.

CUSA encouraged those requiring support to reach out to Carleton’s Health and Counselling Services or the Association’s Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Hall.

Abdi’s death comes after a string of unarmed black men were killed by police in the United States. Abdi, whose family said he had mental health issues, died after a confrontation with police—part of which was captured on video—in Hintonburg on July 24.

William Felepchuk, GSA vice-president (academic), said in an interview the student association stands in solidarity with Ottawa’s Somali community and its Somali members.

“We think it’s very important that our student members of the GSA and the MSA feel safe in the city in which they’re studying.”

MSA president Ahmed Hassan said the MSA held an event earlier this month entitled “Understanding the Black Lives Matter Movement.” He added while this event occurred prior to Abdi’s death, the MSA acknowledges the importance of reassuring students in the black and Muslim communities that support is available to them.

“It is important to continuously raise awareness about racism, police brutality and any other social justice issues and not wait to do this as a reaction to tragedies,” Hassan said.
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU), the province’s civilian agency called upon to investigate whenever there are allegations of death, serious injuries, or sexual assault involving police officers, is leading the investigation into Abdi’s death.
The SIU investigation is focusing on the two officers who responded to the call involving Abdi and said it also intends to interview five other witness officers, according to CBC.  An autopsy was scheduled for July 26.

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