Friends, family rebuild memorial to Eishia

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This article was published 17/05/2021 (1355 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Family and friends of Eishia Hudson gathered at the intersection of Lagimodiere Boulevard and Fermor Avenue on Sunday evening to rebuild a memorial at the site where the teen was fatally shot by police last April.

On Friday morning, it was discovered the memorial at the intersection was removed. Witnesses captured the removal of the memorial on camera and shared the video on social media.

Eishia’s family said they would rebuild the memorial Sunday evening and called for supporters to attend while respecting COVID-19 guidelines, such as mask wearing and physical distancing. Organizers said traffic would be blocked around the intersection while the memorial was rebuilt.

The Winnipeg Police Service said Sunday afternoon that officers would be at the site shortly before the gathering to direct traffic and ensure the safety of pedestrians.

About 200 people gathered at the Oodena Celebration Circle at The Forks, near the monument to missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, on April 8 to remember Eishia and call for justice on the one-year anniversary of her death.

Eishia, 16, was shot and killed by a police officer after a high-speed afternoon chase. She was driving a stolen SUV being pursued by police after a robbery at the Sage Creek Liquor Mart. Four other teens who were passengers in the SUV were not injured.

After an investigation, the Independent Investigation Unit said it recommended that no charges be laid against the officer who shot Eishia.

The IIU’s file was sent to Manitoba Prosecution Services, which determined there were “no grounds to justify any charges against the subject officer for his use of lethal force.”

The province’s chief medical examiner, Dr. John Younes, has called an inquest to look into Eishia’s death.

— staff