Calls for justice for UBCO student hurt in wellness check grow ahead of widespread protests

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Calls for justice are growing ever-louder as four protests are planned and the parents of a University of British Columbia Okanagan student injured during an RCMP wellness check are speaking out.

Protests are planned for Kelowna, Richmond, Surrey, and Vancouver on Saturday while more than 370,000 people have signed a petition calling for justice.

More than 370,000 people have signed a petition calling for criminal charges to be pressed against Cpl. Lacey Browning who responded to a mental health call that turned violent in Jan. A 2nd petition has about 2,500 signatures also calling for her firing: on @NEWS1130 this am

— Ash Kelly she/her (settler) (@AshDKelly) July 10, 2020

Organizers say masks are mandatory at all four events, with the Surrey rally planned to take place in front of RCMP headquarters and the victim’s family expected to attend the Vancouver rally.

Nursing student Mona Wang was left bloodied and bruised after her boyfriend called for help, in January, suspecting Wang may have attempted to harm herself when she stopped responding to text messages.

A letter posted in Chinese by her parents on WeChat says Wang took pills after having a panic attack brought on by academic pressures.

Glacier Media has translated the letter as saying, “Mental illness is like any other medical illness, which shouldn’t be treated with discrimination and abuse.”

Video surveillance shows Cpl. Lacey Browning, the sole responding officer, dragged Wang face down and shirtless by her arms through her apartment building lobby, lifting her head by her hair and dropping it before stepping on her head.

Wang is pursuing a civil suit that names Browning, the RCMP, Canada’s attorney general, and B.C.’s Ministry of Safety.

Calls for criminal charges

Protesters and petitioners are calling for Browning to face criminal assault charges and be fired from the RCMP.

Browning has been placed on administrative duties but many say that’s simply not enough and doesn’t amount to justice.

In a legal response to Wang’s suit, the RCMPs say Browning used no more force than necessary to keep Wang and herself safe.

Related stories:

• ‘Reckless’ Kelowna RCMP officer seen dragging, stepping on head of nursing student during wellness check
• Calgary protesters denounce RCMP brutality against B.C. nursing student
• Kelowna Mountie seen in shocking wellness check video placed on administrative duties

In her defense, Browning alleges Wang had a box cutter and had harmed herself, appeared intoxicated and became violent, striking the officer “several times” with an open hand.

Wang alleges she was left with broken blood vessels in her left eye, a swollen right eye, and says her right temple was bruised. She claims Bowning attempted to mislead medical staff by telling them she was high on methamphetamines.

Wang says a toxicology report showed no illegal substances in her system while police say they don’t have access to that report.