Supporters of Fredy Villanueva, the Montreal teen who was shot to death by a city police officer in 2008 are lamenting the lack of any kind of tangible memorial in his honour.
They announced today a rally, speeches and music will be part of next week’s planned activities surrounding the 10-year anniversary of Villanueva’s death.
Villanueva was unarmed when he was struck by police bullets in a north-end park on Aug. 9, 2008.
His supporters deplore the fact a park being created nearby will not bear his name and that a planned mural is not materializing.
Villanueva was killed after an altercation with police officers that left two other people injured as they tried to break up an illegal dice game in a park and arrest Villanueva’s brother, Dany.
The next night, a march in the same borough turned violent, with rioters setting fire to vehicles and looters vandalizing businesses while creating headlines around the world.
Borough Mayor Christine Black defended the decision again today to not use Villanueva’s name or erect a mural, saying some people didn’t feel it was appropriate.