‘Entrenched racial stereotypes' contributed to death: daughter
Raymond Silverfox died as a result of racism and willful neglect, his daughter says in court documents filed this week.
Raymond Silverfox died as a result of racism and willful neglect, his daughter says in court documents filed this week.
Deanna-Lee Charlie, Silverfox's only daughter, is suing the Attorney General of Canada, nine RCMP officers and three civilian guards for what she calls "grossly shocking” treatment of her father while he was in police custody in Whitehorse.
Silverfox, 43, died in the RCMP cells 13 hours after being picked up from the Salvation Army early on the morning of Dec. 2, 2008.
He was violently ill during his stay in the so-called drunk tank, throwing up at least 26 times, yet he was never given medical attention or moved to a cell that wasn't covered in vomit.
Charlie filed the civil suit last May, following a coroner's inquest which revealed shocking behaviour on the part of police, who swore at and mocked Silverfox as he lay in his filthy cell. By the time police decided Silverfox needed assistance, he was already dead.
"Silverfox's death would have been prevented with timely medical intervention,” Charlie stated in her original claim. "But the RCMP members and guards denied Silverfox the necessities of life,” the new claim adds.
In her amended claim, Charlie says the police officers and guards "were aware that their conduct was unlawful and likely to injure (the Silverfox family),” and it was "based on entrenched racial stereotypes of First Nation people and deprived Silverfox of his right to life, liberty and security of person.”
The claim goes on to say that the police and guards actions "shock the conscience and offend and shock the sensibilities of most Yukoners.”
Chief Supt. Peter Clark, head of the Yukon RCMP, said much the same thing in a public statement following the inquest. A territory-wide police review has since been launched.
In addition to suing the police and guards, the Silverfox family has asked for a judicial review of the coroner's inquest and is demanding a public inquest into Silverfox's death.
No hearing date has been scheduled for the civil suit.
Comments (2)
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Don McKenzie on Oct 25, 2010 at 11:35 pm
As I grow older, and hopefully wiser, when I read articles, such as this one, I think, "Would I want my loved ones treated this way?"
As much as I understand the feelings of disgust that officers may feel after dealing with human garbage, day in and day out, he was still, by most standards, human. His death WAS preventable.
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Jan Smith on Oct 23, 2010 at 10:55 am
I agree the treatment of Mr. Silverfox was appalling and criminally negligent. But THE contributing factor in his death was his alcoholism.
When I was drinking heavily I never connected the dots as to why terrible things kept happening to me. Now I realize how seriously I impaired my decision-making abilities. As a result I was robbed, ended up in god forsaken places etc. I always tell my nieces and nephews that alcoholism runs on both sides of our family, just as I would tell them to watch for diabetes.
All the best to Ms. Charlie.
I