Canadians also have work to do to address racism in this country: PM

OTTAWA (NEWS 1130) — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says many Canadians have reacted with “shock and horror” to the protests in the United States over the death of George Floyd.

Derek Chauvin, one of four former Minneapolis police officers fired for his involvement in Floyd’s death, was arrested and charged with murder and manslaughter on Friday.

Chauvin was seen in a video with his knee on Floyd’s neck before the unarmed black man — who pleaded that he could not breathe — died, sparking violent protests in Minneapolis and across the country.

Trudeau made the comment Friday following the announcement of an additional $650 million dollars to help Indigenous communities during the pandemic.

He spoke about the riots and the effects of racism both south of the border and at home.

“Anti-black racism, racism is real. It’s in the United States, but’s it’s also in Canada,” Trudeau said.

“We know people are facing systemic discrimination, unconscious bias and anti-black racism every single day.”

He added Canadians have worked to do, to stand up for and respect one another.

“I call on all Canadians, whether it’s anti-black racism or anti-Asian racism or racism and discrimination of any type, to stand together in solidarity, to be there for each other and know just how deeply people are being affected by what we see on the news these past few days.”