The video of the Polish immigrant Robert Dziekanski, age 40, being tasered to death at the Vancouver airport was released this weekend. I'd expect something like this to come out of the U.S. (certainly the U.S.-led occupation in Iraq) but to see this man tasered to death by the RCMP in Canada is astonishing (Dziekanski's own actions are also unsettling). The footage was captured by a civilian with a camcorder that was then taken by the police, who refused to return the tape. This was then followed up by a threat of lawsuit before the video was released, three weeks after the incident. Dziekanski's death certainly has the city in the frenzy; there is even talk of whether Vancouver is fit for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Read the full story at The Globe and Mail.
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Video Release Shames Vancouver
Category: What the...?
Posted on: November 18, 2007 3:50 PM, by Jennifer L. Jacquet
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Comments
Among other things, this tragic incident demonstrates how important public photography and videography is for maintaining oversight over the police. As a result of how such documentation makes accountability possible, efforts to ban photography in public places actually make us less secure.
Posted by: Milan | November 18, 2007 4:51 PM
This is a shameful day for my country.
The man was disturbed and maybe a little violent but the police response was absolutely out of proportion with Dziekanski's actions. WTF was the guy dong making stabbing motions with his nightstick? Was he actually spearing the poor guy with it?
These 4 gestapo should be tried for manslaughter imo.
Posted by: Federico Contreras | November 18, 2007 7:42 PM
Frederico, I am heartened by your sentiments and, moreover, that they seemed to be shared by the vast majority of this city. I fear we have become immunized against seeing violence(or the deaths foreigners) and then I saw the outrage at this incident and it was, in a sick sort of way, reassuring. After watching the video, however, I was also puzzled at what was going through the mind of Dziekanski. I cannot imagine entering a new country--one I hoped to be my new home--and throwing such a violent tantrum. Yes, I know he was frustrated and had waited for something like 10 hours. But I still can't imagine feeling comfortable enough in a foreign land to behave as he did. This in NO WAY justifies his death (nothing short of tragic) or any violent behavior toward him but it does leave me curious about his psychological profile...
Posted by: Jennifer L. Jacquet | November 18, 2007 7:50 PM
In the victim's defense, he was exhausted, confused and scared, probably hungry and thirsty as well after a 10 hour flight and 6 hour wait.
How did the country that took my mother in with her two sons and 3 suitcases get to this point? We came here from El Salvador fleeing precisely this kind of shit. How did we fall so far so fast (I came here on Tuesday, April 15th 1986 after living in hiding with my mom and brother for six months). I will never say "I am Canadian" with the same sure pride that came so easily to me for so many years. This is a heartbreaking betrayal.
I made the mistake of showing that video to my girlfriend, who was moved to hot, rueful tears. Who are we? What does it mean to be Canadian? There are no words to describe the unspeakable shame I feel at having to call myself a Canadian right now. I am Canadian. Canada did this. WE did this. As a Canadian I will forever have to carry this shameful stain with me and the memory of this poor man being murdered in my name for the crime of being frustrated, afraid, and desperately, desperately alone. In my name.
Posted by: Federico Contreras | November 18, 2007 11:39 PM
There is a multitude of shame contained within this noise called a blog:
slurring the US in the original commentary; it is unfair and completely out of context. Smallmindedness always stands out badly. This from a PhD candidate? Next time, keep your bile to yourself and stick to the subject.
Frederico who craps out not one but two hate-filled posts. He's ashamed of being Canadian? I'm ashamed of him being allowed in. Perhaps we should look more fully into what Freddy was hiding from (as he admitted in his rant)?
Claims that the majority backs your views. Show me the scientifically-conducted polls - your feelings are not proof of this, by the way.
This blog shows that everyone has an opinion, but few are worthy of being heard.
Posted by: That Guy | November 19, 2007 9:34 AM
Is slurring the U.S. completely unfair? Did you not hear about the tasering incident at John Kerry's speech in Florida in September? Here is the link to the story at Fox News, a news outlet with a tone I think you'd appreciate. As for the majority backing the shame, clearly you did not see the cover of the Vancouver Sun or the Province this weekend, which both featured the memorial service at the Vancouver airport. Look at the letters sent to The Star (A Mother's Grief, a Nation's Shame). It is always shameful when person is murdered, particularly by the very people responsible for ensuring safety, and it doesn't take a Ph.D. to know that.
Posted by: Jennifer L. Jacquet | November 19, 2007 9:44 AM
That Guy seems to have That Anger which must be because he has That Problem.
Posted by: Randy Olson | November 19, 2007 10:58 AM