Totime takedown: students demand diversity committee

NEWS RELEASE

ALGOMA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' UNION

***************************** Algoma U students oppose the treatment of Robert and Travis

SAULT STE MARIE - (July 14) - On the afternoon of June 18, 2010, two Algoma University students, Robert Totime (shown), and Travis Syrette, who also work in the University, were spending their lunch break at Station Mall, when mall security assumed Robert Totime was a wanted criminal from the Toronto area and contacted local police. 

The two Algoma students were subsequently stalked by Sault Ste. Marie Police from the Station Mall to the Algoma University parking lot, where they were forced out of Travis' vehicle, and on to the ground at gunpoint. Robert and Travis were then wrongfully arrested, handcuffed, and detained in the back of police vehicles until their identities were confirmed. 

The Sault Ste. Marie Police Services describes this as a case of mistaken identity, but the Algoma University Student Union (AUSU) believes it is much more reflective of racial profiling.

The Algoma University Student Union fully support Robert and Travis, and are in the process of launching an investigation into the circumstances which led to the harassment which Robert and Travis suffered at the hands of Sault Ste. Marie Police forces (officers) on June 18. 

In a statement made on behalf of the Student Union (AUSU) which was published on SooToday on the 21st of June, AUSU President Lance Adjetey stated: "We oppose the public humiliation which Robert and Travis were subjected to by the police in front of their peers and we are thankful that Robert and Travis were able to walk away from the ordeal, as these situations sometimes result in a tragic loss of innocent lives. We will support Robert and Travis to the fullest possible extent to ensure that justice is served and to ensure that our students are spared from experiencing similar incidents of harassment."

AUSU Vice-President External Katie Yakasovich states: "We have strength in numbers, and to have everyone gather to support Travis and Robert is incredible. It drives us to seek justice for what happened. Simple apologies are not going to be enough."

AUSU encourages students and members of the community to write letters to the City of Sault Ste. Marie, the Sault Ste. Marie Police Services Board, and to Algoma Central Properties (Station Mall) requesting a full and impartial investigation into the incidents leading up to the dramatic and wrongful arrest of Totime and Syrette.

AUSU asks that a diversity advisory committee be created and maintained by the Sault Ste. Marie Police Services and the Station Mall with diversity training annually conducted for all staff.

Comments can be sent to:

Sault Ste. Marie Police Service 580 Second Line East Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6B 4K1 (705) 949-6300   Algoma Central Properties Inc. 421 Bay Street, P.O. Box 7000 Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6A 5P6 (705) 946-7220

John Rowswell Mayor, City of Sault Ste. Marie Level IV, Civic Centre 99 Foster Drive, P.O. Box 580 Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario  P6A 5N1

About Algoma University Students' Union

The Algoma University Students' Union represents over 1,000 students at both the Sault Ste. Marie and Brampton campuses.

AUSU is local 82 of the Canadian Federation of Students.

***************************** Earlier SooToday.com coverage of this story

Algoma U students taken down at gunpoint. Why? Youth Association protests police takedown at Algoma U Keep your head up, funny dude! Statement on Robert Totime & Travis Syrette takedown Students oppose the treatment of Robert and Travis