Protest of RCMP treatment of Mona Wang held Saturday

Dozens of people met in Kelowna's Stuart Park Saturday afternoon to protest the treatment of Mona Wang at the hands of an RCMP member in January.

The Justice for Mona Wang rally was in solidarity with people across B.C., and similar protests were held in Vancouver, Richmond and Surrey at the same time. Face masks were mandatory at all four protests.

Wang's case has gained national attention after Castanet published surveillance footage of Const. Lacey Browning dragging Wang through the hallways of her apartment building, before stepping on her head. Wang's boyfriend had called 911 over concerns for her mental wellbeing, and Const. Browning arrived to perform a “wellness check.”

“We want justice and we want to send a strong message,” said Shui Lee, an Interior Health employee who helped organize Saturday's event in Kelowna.

“She's going to become a nurse, and I'm a healthcare worker, so that's our future. We don't want to see this happen to any people's children. We want the government to help out to change the police act.

“We don't want this to happen to our next generation.”

Kelowna city councillors Loyal Wooldridge and Mohini Singh attended the event, along with Peachland mayor Cindy Fortin.

“Just watching it was shocking, and in fact devastating as a mom to see a 20-year-old girl treated like that,” Singh said. “I need the community to know, council has heard them and we are acting on it.

“My reason here is not to protest, but to let the community know that we've heard them, we do care, and we will act.”

Wang has filed a civil suit against Const. Browning and the officer's actions are being investigated. An online petition calling for the firing and charging of Const. Browning has reached more than 371,000 signatures.

Last week, the Southeast District RCMP chief superintendent Brad Haugli offered Wang an apology for her treatment.