Rally in memory of Cindy Gladue

Outside of the Lethbridge courthouse on Thursday, and all across the country, protesters demanded a retrial of the Cindy Gladue case and a change to how the Canadian justice system treats missing and murdered aboriginal women.

Gladue was found dead in an Edmonton hotel room in 2011. An Ontario trucker, Bradley Barton, went on trial for first-degree murder but was aquitted.

Read more on the case here: http://globalnews.ca/news/1918589/alberta-prosecutors-file-appeal-of-acquittal-in-cindy-gladue-murder-case/

“This case is reflective of the social issues that exist and the problem of the interface with aboriginal people in the justice system,” said University of Lethbridge professor of native studies Dr. Linda Many Guns.

Crown prosecutors filed an appeal over the acquittal of Barton on Wednesday. Lauren Crazybull runs the True Contact Voice organization and organized the Lethbridge rally. There were letters available to send to the solicitor general and crown prosecutor.

“We’re still writing these letters to show that we, as the public, are going to keep the court and the justice system accountable,” said Crazybull.

Gladue’s first cousin, Marie Carlson, also attended the rally.

“What angers me the most is that he got off scot-free and he gets to walk the streets and my cousin does not.”

During the trial, there were no aboriginals present in the jury. Carlson also expressed dismay that Gladue’s preserved pelvic region and reproductive organs were displayed as evidence to the jury.

“We believe that the whole body has to be buried or her spirit stays here,” said Carlson. “So now her spirit is stuck here.”