Winnipeg residents put the city’s chief police officer in the hot seat during a discussion on policing Black communities that sometimes became heated, with the recent death of a young Nigerian student looming over the talks.
The town hall, called Policing Black Manitobans, was held in the wake of 19-year-old Afolabi Stephen Opaso’s death. Opaso, a University of Manitoba student, was shot by police on Dec. 31 after officers responded to a well-being call at an apartment building.
About 70 people showed up Sunday afternoon and packed the African Communities of Manitoba’s offices.
Jean-René Dominique Kwilu, who represents Opaso’s family, moderated the town hall. He said he understands people’s frustration.
“There’s definitely a fracture within the community,”
