Friday, November 16, 2007

Shame

Our mothers have more spine than our uniformed finest
In the moments before police arrived, Sima Ashrafinia tried to calm down a visibly agitated Robert Dziekanski. She walked toward him, holding out her hand. She asked his name in four languages: English, Italian, Farsi and Turkish. She said, "No," when he attempted to throw furniture.
"All he needed was a translator ... He wasn't a threat to anybody," Ms. Ashrafinia, 50, said from her home in North Vancouver, a day after video footage of the incident was released.
Police felt differently. Within minutes of RCMP officers arriving at Vancouver's International Airport, Mr. Dziekanski was zapped by a taser and on the floor screaming and writhing in pain

37 comments:

Knotty Nelson said...

Here is a less sensational version of the letter you have on your site; I have toned down the rhetoric somewhat, and suggest you provide it as a sample on your page instead.

Dear Minister of Transport Cannon, Minister of Public Safety Stockwell, and Member of Parliament:

Today, I am ashamed to be a Canadian.

On October 14, Mr Robert Dziekanski, a first time visitor to Canada was died at Vancouver's International Airport. Several factors contributed to his death, including the seemingly unnecessary use of excessive force by means of a tazer at the hands of four young, able-bodied RCMP officers. From video footage of the event it is evident that Mr Dziekanski was no threat to either himself or to anyone else. On the other hand he seemed to be suffering a severe anxiety attack on account of his confinement at the airport for ten hours after passing through customs. Instead of taking a mediatory approach by summoning a polish interpreter, or offering medical attention to Mr. Dziekanski (who apparently was relieved at the sight of law enforcement arriving), it appears that the officers resorted to force that should have been reserved for a far more dangerous situation. The heart wrenching result is the loss of life of this young man, who came to Canada looking for a new life - instead, it was wrongfully taken away.

I hope that the officers involved are investigated and processed to the fullest extent of the law - a charge of manslaughter would not be out of the question. I am concerned, on a higher level, that the incompetence in which this situation was handled by the officers stems from a systemic failure and request you to raise this matter in the parliament. Since this event also took place in an area secured by customs officers at a national airport I request an enquiry into the airport procedures in handling visitors to Canada.

I trust you will share my concern and shame at having treated a fellow human in such a fashion. Canadians look to you to pursue this investigation to the fullest extent.

Yours very sadly,

Anonymous said...

What I find very revealing is how police said there were only 3 cops at the scene when there were really 4.

1st lie!

Then they said Robert was acting out and was escalting the situation, but the video clearly shows Robert putting up his hands and backing down.

Lie number 2!

Here's a reality check for everyone: COPS LIE ALL THE TIME!

It doesn't mean that they are all dishonest on the contrary, but the majority will twist ANY CASE TO SUIT THEIR NEEDS.

And when trouble comes calling for the cops themselves, they will LIE EVEN MORE, CLOSE RANKS AND OUTRIGHT LIE UNLESS IT CAN BE PROVEN OTHERWISE!

A few short years ago I would've never believed anyone who said such things, but after witnessing conduct through various incidents I NO LONGER TRUST COPS!

No they didn't do anything to myself, but I saw the way the behaved with others. Absolutely shocking.

My Norman Rockwell picture of them has been SAMSHED beyond repair!

Anonymous said...

Is anyone trying to organize a protest or demonstration in Vancouver? If so, please let us know!!!!

Anonymous said...

While this is most definitely an unfortunate death, it seems that you have been quite misinformed and, quite frankly, are watching the video through rose-coloured glasses. Your one-sided generic letter will not petition either Mr. Day or an MP into action, especially when these actions were justified.

I've noted several inconsistencies in your letter:

- They do not yet know a cause of death. Therefore you cannot state it was due to the Tasering, as it could have also been due to a heart condition, anxiety, or any number of other pre-existing conditions.

- Not a threat to "himself or anyone else"? How about the chair he threw? How about the lack of communicating with police, or anyone else for that matter? What about the hostile behaviour towards others?

- He was not "confined" in the airport. You make it sound like he was locked in the airport, when in fact he was waiting for his mother to pick him up.

- How do you know he was "relieved" when law enforcement arrived? He simply became combative with them.

- The officers resorted to using the taser because they could not simply wrestle him to the ground. If they did, then you'd be on them about why they wrestled him to the ground. The taser was used to quickly and efficiently subdue this irrational man.

These officers are the best of the best - the RCMP. They patrol the country worldwide and represent a high standard of policing in all of Canada. All they did was their job. They prevented someone from potentially injuring other people, and you're trying to have the officers charged with manslaughter? It is people like you who make me sick to be Canadian, not the RCMP.

Anonymous said...

I just wonder WHAT EXACTLY WAS THE COP DOING WITH HIS BATON at the end of the video? What was there on the floor what had to be smashed with such extreme prejudice?

Anonymous said...

Having worked with law enforcement, I know that those collapsable batons require a great deal of force to be able to collapse down and be put away.

The officer you see in the video is collapsing is baton so it can be put away.

Anonymous said...

This must have been an extreme urgency to do it just next to unconscous man's head.
d.dickin, as long as you seem to stick around to do damage control and PR for RCMP, please do enlighten us: what do you see as "combative" on this video after cavalry rolled in?

Anonymous said...

I am disheartened, I am sad.I am ashamed that something like this could happen in our country. I am a mother.of a disabled child..I have worked with individuals of varying mental and physical challenges..all my life..some of them very violent..and we don't use tasers..but crisis invention techniques to calm..down individals..God help us..should everyone who had to deal with a violent individual in life be given a taser...imagine if every bar tender who has had to deal with a drunk person..throwing chairs had a taser..there is not difference in the risk..a mental health care worker takes..then a bar tender..
Don't the RCMP get any training in Crisis Invention Prevention..De-esculating behaviour..!
What is wrong..with our government/RCMP not to have made a public apologie to this mans family and to Poland and to the public..what is wrong with the RCMP to still not say I am sorry..
Maybe they should read .the verse children live by what they learn.
It was clear this man was suffering from exhaustion..clear he was having trouble breathing before they tasered him. It is clear they made no real efforts to calm the man. It is clear they used brute force. My God..what has this world come to..I don't think I will ever publicly feel safe again.
If it was not for this video..we as the public would have never known the real truth.
I know crime is a real threat in this world..and that with the loss of 2 RCMP Officers..in the north..there is most likely fear in any officers heart..but the problems..are indeed systemic..the north is riddled with poverty, poor medical care, poor education..and people are far to often not been given the opportunities to experience success in life..the forgotten rural canada.
Clearly..there is something seriously wrong..with the RCMP.
A Mother who don't use a taser..when he child misbehaves.
Justice for Robert!

Anonymous said...

The saddest story. Incredible sad. One have to wonder what kind of idiots do not see the RCMP wrong doings. Either they are really stupid or evil or both.

Anonymous said...

I feel bad for thsi man and his family. With that said i'm curious as to why he was detained for 10 hours to begin with. Also throwing computers and public property isn't a decent way to treat your new home. If he didn't act out this wouldn't have happened. He seemed like a troubled individual to say the least.

Anonymous said...

Quote: This must have been an extreme urgency to do it just next to unconscous man's head.
d.dickin, as long as you seem to stick around to do damage control and PR for RCMP, please do enlighten us: what do you see as "combative" on this video after cavalry rolled in?


The man was almost subdued at that time, so the officer was able to put the baton away. I'm surprised you're not happy the officer was putting his baton away.

As for his combative actions, the man threw a chair at the glass. He was further hostile, even to the passengers who were trying to talk to him. When the police finally arrived, he did nothing to surrender or give up. He continued walking around irrationally and would not follow their orders. He then grabbed a stapler, pointed it at the officers and began to run away, and this is when the man was tasered.

Anonymous said...

Quote: With that said i'm curious as to why he was detained for 10 hours to begin with. Also throwing computers and public property isn't a decent way to treat your new home. If he didn't act out this wouldn't have happened. He seemed like a troubled individual to say the least.

He wasn't being "detained". He was waiting for his mother to arrive to pick him up.

Anonymous said...

I think the RCMP should hireofficers Patrick Swazye to train their on de-escalation strategies. Watch the movie "Roadhouse" and you'll see Swazye's famous speech to his bouncers (who had a past history of "bash-first" and ask questions later.)

If they give you trouble..be nice.

If they insult you..be nice.

If they want to fight...take them outside...and be nice.

When do we stop being nice?

When I tell you...until then..be nice.

Anonymous said...

A very sad, tragic and unfortunate incident. I debated watching the video knowing the final outcome, but forced myself to witness the very disturbing event in the hopes that it would offer some justification for taking such aggressive action. Unfortunately my quest for justification is not satisfied. Instead I am left with a numbness knowing that I am a Canadian, living in a democratic society and witnessed the life of a new immigrant to this country, which has a shining international image, snuffed out in an instant. If I were now living abroad and someone asked my nationality, I'd be ashamed to say I am Canadian.

Hopefully Robert's death is not in vein and instead contributes to radical changes in the use of aggressive force that is so obviously needed. The lady, seen in the video trying to calm Robert down, seemed to possess more skills in determining that he represented no real threat, otherwise she would not have ventured so close and extended her hand to calm him in such a humanitarian way.

While the video is provocative and we can be quick to judge the handling of the sad affair, hopefully the inquiry will shed additional light not only on the events, but the infrastructure that lead to Roberts’s death. Quite simply to have Robert tazered within 20 seconds of the police arriving makes no sense and I am left with the impression that the police officers acted with an unnecessary sense of urgency. It will be interesting to know the reasons for taking this posture.

I am sure that many of us not only grieve with Roberts mother, but we also share the burden of sorrow that undoubtedly the four police officers are experiencing. No to excuse their aggressive behavior, I am sure that had the police officers known what the final outcome would be, then the handling of this tragic affair would not have ended as it did.

Anonymous said...

It is very sad this man had to die for a minor crime (yes he did commit a crime of vandalism and trespass) but the bigger question here is why a man with an obvious mental illness was flying on his own, let in to canada and is actually going to immigrate here. In additon to finding out he has a criminal record?

Anonymous said...

I agree with Beanto's comment about infrastructure. It poses many questions. Was the rapid tazering done under pressure to simply clear the area prior to the arrival of Cathay Pacific airlines with 350 passengers aboard? Did the airport authorities ask that the secured area be cleared as soon as possible? Whose orders were the four officers operating under if any? Why would an International Airport not have rapid access to a translator to possibly diffuse the situation that may have averted the sad outcome? Why was the victims mother left to fend for herself for many hours when she sought assistance to find her son who could not speak English......it would not be rocket science to guess that he likely was waiting in the secure area?

Many factors culminated in the death of Mr Dziekanski.... and not just an RCMP quick response team’s hasty analysis of the situation upon arrival at the secure area. Hopefully an inquiry will provide answers not only to the above questions ….but also provide creditable recommendations regarding the use of tazer guns!

Anonymous said...

Quote: Hey....Ddickin....shut the hell up please...because he barely "threw" anything

"Barely threw anything"? Did he or did he not throw several objects (I count three) at people? There is no way to partially throw something, so did he or did he not throw something?

he wasnt combatative at ALL

Sure, other than throwing the furniture around and shoving a stapler in an officer's face...

he yelled POLICJA! in hapiness when he saw them

At what interval was this?

He was dehydrated, exhausted, and confused.

How do you know this?

If your honestly defending these dogs actions, then you should bea shamed of yourself, because you are so far brainwashed there is no hope.

Hmm... no shame coming on yet. I'll yet you know when I start feeling it ;)

i wish you that justice will be served and these morons will go to jail. (where they will be happily welcomed by a variety of inmates) Good day!

Should they be convicted of anything, they are sent to a special prison for military and RCMP members in Calgary.

Anonymous said...

I'm finding it very interesting that in the news media we are hearing lots of chatter about the possibility that Robert died from "excited delerium," but we haven't heard one word about this tragic possibility:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positional_asphyxia

(Click on my name for another link)

Positional asphyxia occurs when people are in positions in which their abdomen and diaphragm are compressed in such a way that they can't get enough oxygen into their bodies. It is especially dangerous when people are restrained face-down, and when they have pressure put on their necks. Exacerbating factors include physical exhaustion and obesity (Robert was maybe not obese, but certainly not small!)

I of course am not a doctor or a pathologist but it's interesting to me that there has been no mention of this phenomenon by anyone involved in the case, including the media, yet we've been hearing tons about "excited delerium," which is very controversial and usually linked to cocaine use. It's hard not be cynical, because death by positional asphyxia would place the blame on the police, whereas a verdict of excited delerium would mean that it was all Robert's problem.

I think everyone should do some reading and wonder why no one has brought up the facts about positional asphyxia.

Anonymous said...

Ddickin, the only assumption we can all make here is that you were somehow involved with training these RCMPs. We are also assuming that you have no medical background and no desire to question the real cause of combative behavior and death. You obviously would not consider the possibility of Robert being
a) hypoglycemic (10 hours without food or drink)
b) having a severe panic attack (medical condition, by the way - NOT a combative behavior)
c) dying of asphyxia, caused by positional restrictions for adequate respiratory activity.

As a medical professional, I assure you - hypoglycemic (low sugar) people behave in the ways your narrow mind cannot even imagine. READ AT LEAST SOMETHING!!
They take their clothes off and run around naked, they mutilate themselves, they cry, they collapse, they fight, they use profane language, they engage in indecent behavior in public, and many more.
Don't you have even a slightest desire to question your heartless convictions? I am amazed with your reaction and your posts.
I am more amazed with your quick explanations for every action RCMPs took. Since when have we stopped negotiating? Since when killing became justified? And since when ordinary citizens like yourself have started defending the police actions regardless of their validity?
If you are so well informed about their course of action, their baton collapsing procedure, and their appropriate conduct, you might want to refresh it in your memory that one of the requirements after "tasering" someone is to sit them up to assist respirations. Does this ring a bell? Or your bell is too busy ringing solely on behalf of our brave RCMPs?

Anonymous said...

Message to Vancouver Airport police (in utter disgust):

Instructions on the use of a taser

Step one. Make sure your taser leads are attached to the correct Poles.

This can't just fade away. If enough people remember and speak out, we can get laws and training that reflect the lethal nature of tasers.

My god, this was awful beyond belief.

Sean, Ottawa

Anonymous said...

Quote: Ddickin, the only assumption we can all make here is that you were somehow involved with training these RCMPs.

That assumption would be wrong.

We are also assuming that you have no medical background and no desire to question the real cause of combative behavior and death.

That assumption would also be wrong.

As a medical professional, I assure you - hypoglycemic (low sugar) people behave in the ways your narrow mind cannot even imagine. READ AT LEAST SOMETHING!!
They take their clothes off and run around naked, they mutilate themselves, they cry, they collapse, they fight, they use profane language, they engage in indecent behavior in public, and many more.


If that was the case, he could have still been responsive to the officers speaking to him. Having low blood sugar does not excuse his actions, nor does it fully account for his behaviour.

you might want to refresh it in your memory that one of the requirements after "tasering" someone is to sit them up to assist respirations. Does this ring a bell? Or your bell is too busy ringing solely on behalf of our brave RCMPs?

Where does it say that is a requirement?

Anonymous said...

There is rally this Saturday in Toronto at Queens Park 12 pm. Any support is welcome. The mounties who murdered Robert Dziekanski should be charged and jailed pending investigation.

Anonymous said...

There is a rally at the Vancouver Art Gallery Saturday at noon and in Victoria at noon as well, at the Legislative Buildings.

Here is a link to express condolences

http://www.legacy.com/can/GB/
GuestbookView.aspx?PersonID=98084671

d.dickins

You sure live up to your name!

Anonymous said...

I checked the date of the last post and noticed no one had anymore to say for almost a month. No one gets too upset for long. Life goes on and nothing changes much. It should be a reminder of how long each of us will be remembered in the end. Hear my Robert Dziekanski is dead song at
www.myspace/kevinsticksclifton

Unknown said...

kekker "I checked the date of the last post and noticed no one had anymore to say for almost a month. No one gets too upset for long."

...sadly how true, but life does go on unfortunately.

What is more sad is the RCMP and YVR staff who conducted involuntary manslaughter are not being disciplined for it.

Anonymous said...

Oh get over it! They did nothing wrong. That's why no one remembers or cares about this occurence.

Anonymous said...

I sure hope Robert Dziekanski gets justice - I hope those 4 cops are charged with manslaugher, just because they are RCMP doesn't give them the right to kill him, what about the Klim case in Vernon, what's wrong with the RCMP, it looks like their awful reputation is well deserved, average, average, average people who don't use logic or common sense. IT's disgusting. I've rarely seen RCMP use logic to solve anything, it's a great shame. Damn good thing that it was caught on tape and that guy with the tape had the courage to sue the RCMP if they didn't give it back to him. WHo the hell do the RCMP think they are?

Anonymous said...

D.Dickin said...
Oh get over it! They did nothing wrong. That's why no one remembers or cares about this occurence.

They are trigger happy murderers outside the law: it is a sad chapter for our country. Real shame: there are some good mounties out there and they should speak up.

Anonymous said...

No one cares anymore...

Too much time has passed and us lowly humans can only concentrate on anything of importance for a full week, maybe two weeks max. (unless of course we're constantly reminded by the press)
However no one is reminding anyone of this waste of life anymore, because he is not Canadian and because that's the way the RCMP and B.C. politicians NEED it to be. Better for all the B.C. authorities to let this die a slow death.

B.C. doesn't want to be known as the taser murder capital, shhhhhhh...mum's the word. If no one says anything, it'll go away....

I'm surprised these posts made it to Feb.

Anonymous said...

Damn good thing that it was caught on tape and that guy with the tape had the courage to sue the RCMP if they didn't give it back to him. WHo the hell do the RCMP think they are?
===================================

Now you're catching on. Doctors do it, Dentists, Military - they all cover each others backs. RCMP will have ZERO consequences for this or any previous incidents.

Bawhahahahaha....welcome to the real world!!

Anonymous said...

Well, those are certainly some loaded statements you've made there. If only you could prove them, you might have a fairly decent argument.

Anonymous said...

Shut the hell up Dickins you government goof! Makes me sick knowing an ally of these RCMP murderers is trying to con the readers of this board with chants of "this case is not worth looking at any longer...nothing happened...the RCMP did nothing wrong" What a joke!

Anonymous said...

If you're going to insult me, at least spell my name correctly.

Nothing has been done because the RCMP didn't do anything wrong. An enormous inquiry and public boards surrounding the RCMP found that they did nothing wrong. Our responsible government held hearings of officers and by-standers who all said the same thing: this crazy man threatened the police and they had no other possible action (well, they could have shot him, but you'd complain about that too, right?).

Anonymous said...

Shut-up Dick! Few people know what albeit a minority, but cops nevertheless are really like - jumping the gun or taking the easy way out by using a taser too quickly. Works out to less effort and more pleasure for you sadistic types too.

Again more lies from you Dick, because an inquiry did reveal that some of these idiots really do need to be retrained. In particular WHEN to use a taser. Too often just as we thought, police have been found to use their tasers unnecessarily, taking the easy route instead of putting in the extra effort.

Then when some poor sucker gets smoked they all band together like dirtbags and wait for it to blow over. Good thing it didn't - now advocates like DICK (sucker) and other idiots will once again need to restrain their natural tendency to want to fuck someone over for free.

Good thing we didn't let the RCMP investigate themselves this time. Hahaha...what a joke.

New rules coming for you and your friends Dick (sucker) lol....looks good on ya!

Anonymous said...

You're pathetic. For one, you obviously can't even read my name, which leads me to wonder how you could have read the inquiry which clearly showed the RCMP were perfect in their actions. I look forward to their continued dedication and service to our country.

Dziekanski Supporter. said...

Cops in North America have used excessive force for years. All too often people are left dead because of the police.

I am sick of police, I do not trust them. They act like a mobbed up gang when together. It's a shame that they get 'recognized' as heroes in some situations.

In Toronto, I've seen and heard of too many situations where police have used excessive force. I'm tired of it.

When will politicians stand up and fight the bullying police union? They aren't our boys in blue as far as Torontonians are concerned. People are more afraid of police than organized crime.

Dziekanski Supporter. said...

And for the person who said that police lie, I have to agree with you.

I knew a mentally ill man in Chinatown years ago whom the police shot down. He had a small hammer (no exaggeration) on an empty bus and was apparently a threat to the 15 police with drawn guns! Bwahahahahahahahah!!! Nonetheless in their infinite wisdom, the police approach Edmund while in the midst of his hallucinations and shot him dead.

Also, a school friend who was also mentally ill was shot by police about 10 years ago. He had a wooden sword like object and was apparently acting like a ninja in the middle of the street. The cop shot him 6 times. Nice.

I can't even get into police brutality (or stupidity), it's a topic that I know way too much about.