Around 100 people gathered in cold weather and snow at noon on Sunday in front of the Sudbury courthouse in response to the verdict of a widely-watched trial that ended in Saskatchewan last week.
On Friday, Gerald Stanley was found not guilty in the August 2016 shooting death of Colten Boushie, a 22-year-old man from Red Pheasant First Nation.
"I organized this event after Friday and the verdict in the courts," said event organizer Marlo Corbiere.
"We are standing in solidarity today with Colten and his family and we want justice for Colten Boushie. We will continue to gather and send prayers for that to happen."
The Boushie family has called for action in the form of prayer and demonstrations across the country. Similar events were held in Toronto, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie and in the Western provinces.
The verdict garnered intense emotions in the forms of both criticism and affirmation online over the weekend, such that Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has been prompted to appeal to the public for calm.
“I know there may be some strong reactions,” Moe wrote in a statement after the verdict was let out.
“Let us all remember our personal responsibility for our thoughts, our actions, and our comments — including those on social media."
On Thursday, the RCMP released a statement to remind people that "...they can and will be held responsible for their communications, both in-person and online," further adding. "(The) police will investigate any complaints of suspected criminal behaviour."
