Former Winnipegger afraid sons, husband could be killed by American police for being black
Former Winnipegger says she fears for her husband and sons' lives every day
Former Winnipegger Simone Robertson says she can't fall asleep until she knows all of her "black kings," as she calls her husband and three sons, are safe at home. She's terrified they could be shot or killed by police.
Robertson moved to the United States about 20 years ago, when she met her American husband in Minneapolis, and the family now lives in California.
One of her sons is learning to drive.
With headline news about black individuals being shot by police officers in the U.S., Robertson said she and her husband have been talking about where they could move to feel safer. At first, they thought Minnesota, but their opinion quickly changed after a shooting in that state.
- Officer who killed Minnesota man in front of woman and child identified
- Police killings of black males in U.S. 'should trouble all of us,' says Obama
Robertson said her husband, a mechanical engineer who works for a major American firm, has been pulled over at least six times so far this year because of what they believe was racial profiling.
Pulled over 'every other week'
"The police have asked him if there is a warrant out for him, if he is on parole or probation. My husband is squeaky clean. No one in our family has ever been involved with the law. I just couldn't believe it. Every other week he gets pulled over. I don't want him to drive that car anymore or give it to our 15½-year-old son," Robertson said.
Her husband drives a sporty car. He spent two days of their son's driver education teaching him how to comply with police if stopped, how to hold his hands inside the car and how to talk to an officer.
"He said, 'I will put my left hand here on the steering wheel. With my right hand, officer, I am reaching over and opening the glove compartment where the registration and insurance are. I am reaching over right now, officer, and getting them out of the glove box,'" she said. "Then he told [him] to put his hand right back on the steering wheel and hold it there so police can see."
Danger if pulled over
Robertson said she feels sick at the thought of her husband or son having trouble with their car on the road. She hopes AAA gets to them before police.
"What if he has a flat and has a tire iron in his hand and a police officer rolls up. What if they think it's a gun? It's another excuse for them to kill him. It's sad I think that way," she said.
- Terence Crutcher, black motorist with stalled car, shot dead by Okla. police
- Miami police shoot caretaker of autistic man playing with toy truck in the street
Robertson said she wasn't always afraid of police who are supposed to serve and protect. In Winnipeg, she was never scared to talk to an officer for help. Now, when a police car pulls up to her, she shudders and starts to sweat.
"I am scared you are going to kill my son. I am scared you are going to kill my husband. As a mother, I live in fear all the time until I know they are home safe. If they are late, I don't think they are in an accident. My first thought is 'Oh God, they have been stopped by police,'" said Robertson.
Uncertain future
Robertson wants to come home to Winnipeg.
"I am a mom, and all I can think about is my babies. I want to take them to Winnipeg and hope they can grow up like we grew up," she reminisces.
"I know things have changed in Winnipeg, but I feel safer there than I do here. It's always home."
And with an American election in the new year, her fear is escalating. She worries that the views of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, who has been accused of promoting non-acceptance, will perpetuate what is happening now.
"I want Canadians to know the fear is very real. That what they are seeing in a picture on social media or a video, or live streaming on Facebook, is very real. Before it used to be a quiet little secret. Now you are seeing what is happening to people every day."