The Justice for Abdirahman Coalition held a protest in downtown Ottawa today, Oct. 20, after a verdict cleared Const. Daniel Monstsion of all three charges in Abdirahman Abdi’s death. Abdi, a 37-year old Black man, was killed during an altercation with Ottawa police in the city’s west end in July 2016.
Protestors and members of Abdi’s family gathered at around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon at Confederation Park to condemn the decision made by Ontario Court Justice Robert Kelly. In his ruling, Kelly stated the Crown failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Montsion’s actions resulted in Abdi’s death. Hundreds of protestors marched to the intersection of Albert and Elgin, steps away from the Ottawa Courthouse, where this afternoon’s verdict was announced. It later ended outside the Prime Minister’s Office on Wellington Street.
