A video circulating on Facebook of an attempted arrest of an Indigenous woman by a loss prevention officer in the parking lot of a Saskatoon’s FreshCo grocery store is drawing condemnation.
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations is calling for immediate dismissal and charges to be laid against the grocery store security guard.
The video was allegedly recorded outside FreshCo on 33rd Street West on Wednesday afternoon.
In it, a man can be seen repeatedly trying to subdue a woman, accusing her of shoplifting from the store.
The struggle carries on for over nine minutes as the man as the unidentified security guard is trying to apprehend the Indigenous woman on the ground.
Bystanders question whether the security guard has the authority to make the arrest.
The woman claims the receipt for the items she was thrown into the garbage, while being asked what she was arrested for.
She is heard screaming for him to leave her alone. The security guard was able to handcuff one wrist, but as the two get back on their feet, the woman punches the man in face.
As the struggle continues to a parked SUV, bystanders plead for the man to leave the woman alone and instead get her license plate for the authorities.
The woman is then pinned to the driver’s seat of the SUV, as the security guard tells the woman she is under arrest for theft under $5000 and assault.
“First Nations women are disproportionately targeted and victimized,” Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Chief Bobby Cameron said in a press release. “This sad excuse of a man clearly assaulted her and needs to be held accountable for his disgusting actions. We expect his immediate termination and charges to be laid against him by police today. This is an unlawful arrest and his actions are beyond disturbing. He had no lawful reason to detain her or the authority to use any force. We demand accountability.”
A post on the FrescCo 33rd Facebook page says the store has ended its relationship with the man in the video who works for a third-party security company.
“I wanted to address the situation yesterday. First of all, I’m beyond shocked and horrified. As Métis owner and a father of two daughters this should have not happened ever. I have ended my contract with the individual who was filmed as we use a third-party LP company.”
In a released statement, Saskatoon Police said a woman is facing charges in relation to the incident.
“Patrol officers responded to a report of shoplifting at a grocery store in the 300 block of 33rd Street West. Upon arrival, Police located a 30-year-old female being detained by a loss prevention officer. A previous altercation between the two individuals had taken place, resulting in minor injuries to the LPO. The female refused medical treatment and was taken into Police custody. She was charged with Theft Under $5000 and Assault.”
The FreshCo head office did not immediately respond to request for comment.
(PHOTO: Courtesy Jade Acikahte Facebook page.)