John Humphrey Centre Cancels U of A Screening Amidst Campus Police Violence
May 16, 2024 - EDMONTON, ALBERTA: On May 15, the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights (JHC) made the difficult decision to cancel the screening of Safer for All and the community dialogue on police accountability scheduled for that same day. The event was being held as part of the National Victims and Survivors of Crime Week, supported by the Department of Justice, Government of Canada.
Regretfully the screening was planned at the University of Alberta, where police violence took place against protests for the liberation of Palestine and the end of the genocide on the early morning of May 11. Considering May 15th is Nakba Day, and the ongoing legacy of colonial harm, we could not in good conscience move ahead with the event as planned, going against the organization’s values grounded in the principles of peace, freedom, justice and dignity.
“JHC stands in solidarity with the students and others. Unity against abuse is of the utmost importance. We are disgusted by the decisions made over the weekend and the punishment and approach taken with the U of A Sexual Assault Centre staff. This is not just about one event. We also want to express deep sadness for the lack of charges in Steven Nguyen’s death and the ongoing struggle for the Dumas family. Police violence is a colonial legacy that needs dismantling,” - Renée Vaugeois, JHC Executive Director
Safer for All was an effort to capture the stories of individuals with lived experience and experts, both as people and police officers, who have had negative interactions with law enforcement. While the film is Edmonton-based, these issues are not confined to Edmonton. They exist in every province across Canada, on and off reserves, in rural areas, and in both large and small cities.
As an organization focused on building community and fostering dialogue, we have created a toolkit to promote constructive dialogue among community members, legal professionals, victims and families, community organizers, law enforcement, organizations, and others invested in holding local law enforcement accountable for violence or abuse of power. Recognizing the historical systemic racism and bias within Canadian policing, this resource opens the door to meaningful discourse on the critical need for accountability. [Please click here to access the toolkit.]
“We need to stand together on this issue and invite everyone to consider the different roles we play in fighting for justice. We all are working in our spaces, carrying our fires. We can not, however, shift the issue against each other.” Renée Vaugeois, JHC Executive Director
The John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights works to advance dignity, freedom, justice, and security through collaborative relationships and transformative education on peace and human rights.
For additional information, contact:
Renée Vaugeois, Executive Director, John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights
Email: renee@jhcentre.org Phone: (780) 975 1116