Protesters honour murdered teenage girl, demand more gun control
Posted February 14, 2021 5:47 pm.
Last Updated February 14, 2021 7:01 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Montreal (CityNews) – Protesters gathered in Saint-Leonard on Sunday to mourn the death of a teenager who was shot and killed last week.
Montrealers gathered to remember 15-year-old Meriem Boundaoui, who was killed in a drive-by shooting on Feb. 7.
The protesters staged a sit-in, demanding the government do something to reduce the number of deadly weapons in Montreal.
“Today we are on Valentine’s Day, and instead of sharing love we share sorrow,” said protester Sonia Kiahati. “We are here to live a better future. Stop the use of the arms, please do it.
“We are hoping that it will end.”
Credit: CITYNEWS/Samsara Rainville
Boundaoui was sitting in a car with a friend and talking to others on a sidewalk when another vehicle approached and shot at them.
No suspects have been identified.
“In this case a young, innocent bystander, just walking by, got shot and killed,” said city councillor Mary Deros. “It is totally unacceptable. We need to have more control over the illegal sale of guns.”
There have been 34 shootings on the island of Montreal in the last six months.
The protesters want the city to review its security policies. Meanwhile Mayor Valerie Plante called on the federal government to take stronger action on gun control and the possession of handguns.
“Meriem’s death is the third to have traumatized me,” said Lysa Belaicha. “I am only 21 years old. Our parents who left Algeria for its violence never thought that we would find death in North America – in a free, safe and democratic country.”
Added Mohamed Mimoun of the Saint-Michel Youth Forum: “We don’t want the death of a 15-year-old child to become trivial.”
