The Hyde Inquiry. The Wortley Report. The Fraser and Gardner trials. Constable Joseph Farrow’s assault charge. Indigenous, Black, people of colour, trans and nonbinary people have been calling this out forever, but the outrageous violence Santina Rao experienced at the hands of police last week has to be the last straw for Halifax’s tolerance of […]
Violence
Posted inNews + Opinion
Council talks about the pros and cons of surveillance cameras in public spaces
Deputy mayor Tony Mancini brought an information report from staff about the surveillance Camera Pilot Project for Public Spaces to council for discussion this week. In May 2017, council asked for a staff report on the use of surveillance cameras in public spaces looking at both permanent and temporary camera systems, using the Farrel Street […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Getting blamed for our own murders
I was 18 years old the first time I drank—three years older than Tina Fontaine was when she was killed. It was at a party in university held in my residence dorm. It was one of those parties where the house leaders mix together a big vat of mystery booze in a plastic garbage can […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Guilty verdict for Jimmy Melvin Jr.
Jimmy Melvin got a not-guilty verdict at a murder trial earlier this year, but today he was convicted of trying and plotting to kill. A Nova Scotia Supreme Court jury in Halifax on Thursday declared James Melvin Jr. guilty of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit the murder of Terry Marriott Jr. The charges stem […]
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902 Man Up finds healing within
You don’t need to be a man to “man up,” but a community touched by violence is encouraging males to step up to the plate and become “responsible men” in their neighbourhoods. 902 Man Up was created by Marcus James and Peter Campbell last May. The community-based organization was formed in response to an outbreak […]
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Not guilty—what the jury heard in Jimmy Melvin Jr.’s murder trial
“Who’ve you got to testify against me—that’s reliable?” Jimmy Melvin Jr. asked, according to police. “You don’t got no weapon. I know that.” It was 2015 and Melvin was in police booking, again. The infamous Spryfield gangster and convicted felon had been picked up as he pulled into a convenience store on the Bedford Highway, […]
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Michelle Coffin is reclaiming her story
On a recent Sunday afternoon in May, Michelle Coffin’s doorbell rang. Leaving her apartment to answer it, she was surprised to find her upstairs neighbours already in the shared vestibule of their building. Just beyond them stood the Liberal MLA seeking re-election in her riding, Labi Kousoulis. Next to him, to bolster support, was federal […]
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Quebec shooting has some Halifax Muslims afraid to attend mosques
[Image-1] For the sake of his faith, Dylan is trying to overcome his anxiety about going to the mosque. If he didn’t, says the Muslim revert, then “that terrorist would win.” “But now, when people are late for prayers, you hear the door open and someone is coming in fast and it is extremely nerve-wracking,” […]
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Advocates say multifaceted approach needed for gendered violence
[Image-1] A group of advocates against gendered violence is pushing for better communication between university researchers, government policymakers and community service providers. “It’s really important and it’s surprisingly rare that this conversation across sectors happens,” says Marina Gonick, a professor at Mount Saint Vincent University. She’s also the Canada research chair for Gender. “We each […]
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Desmond family deaths draw attention to PTSD and domestic violence
[Image-1] Four family members were laid to rest this week. Brenda Desmond: a woman who was “known for her smile, laughter, humour, and strong love.” Shanna Desmond: a registered nurse at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital, remembered by her sister as “the rock of the family.” Aaliyah Desmond: a 10-year-old animal-lover with dreams of becoming a […]
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How to solve a murder
[Image-1] It begins with a call. “It all starts with patrol,” says Jason Withrow. “They’re the ones who show up [in uniform] when 911 is called. After that, it goes up the chain until we’re alerted.” His partner, detective Derrick Boyd, points to the cell phone holstered to his hip. The two investigators always have […]
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Consider the saga of James Robinson Johnston
[Image-1] The recent spate of north-end homicides last month evokes reflections on the haunting Leonard Cohen tune “There For You.” “Death is old, but it’s always new,” the late musician sang. “…And I was there for you.” Along with the mayhem at the Nova Scotia Home for Colored Children, the jailing of Viola Desmond, […]