On Monday, May 25, George Floyd was murdered by Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin after he was pinned to the ground until he stopped breathing. This racial injustice has caused unrest all across North America and led Chauvin to be arrested and charged with third-degree murder. This Sunday, Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante publicly voiced her denunciation for racism and her support for the #BlackLivesMatter movement.
"Let us firmly and unequivocally denounce violence, racism and systemic discrimination," Plante wrote on Twitter.
The mayor of Montreal continued to say she wishes justice for Floyd.
In this same regard, a solidarity demonstration for George Floyd and all other "victims of police impunity" is being held on Montreal on Sunday, May 31 at 5 p.m.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed Floyd's murder during this press conference on May 29, where he acknowledged that racism remains present in Canada. In her tweets, Plante recognizes its continued presence in Montreal as well.
She then promises that she will ensure equal treatment for all people in Montreal, "regardless of status, origin or skin colour."
You can read her full tweets that discuss George Floyd's murder and systemic discrimination below.
The first part of Plante's message involves her wishing justice for George.
Translation: I join my voice to those who denounce the arrest of George Floyd which led to his death. I wish him justice. Let us firmly and unequivocally denounce violence, racism and systemic discrimination. #BlackLivesMatter.
She then goes on to discuss systemic racism within Montreal and her active effort to ensure equality for all races.
Translation: Regardless of status, origin or skin colour, everyone has the right to expect fair and equitable treatment and I will make no compromises in this regard in Montreal. The city is engaged in a major effort to combat racial and social profiling.
In an interview with MTL Blog, Plante has spoken out about racial profiling and corruption in the city, which you can watch a video of here.
The mayor concludes by saying Montreal is preparing to implement more policies that will help in dismantling systemic racism.
Translation: To respond to systemic problems, we are working to implement a series of systemic measures, including the creation of an interpellation policy, a first in Quebec, which we hope will be rolled out everywhere else.
She also added the following to her Instagram story.
Valérie Plante has often used her voice to speak out about injustices and is likely to continue to for the rest of her time as the mayor of Montreal, and probably thereafter.