#JusticeforJaahnavi Kandula

We demand that the Seattle Police Department and the Seattle Police Commission to address the conduct of Officers Kevin Dave and Daniel Auderer on January 24, 2023.  The police department as a whole needs to be accountable and transparent about the actions of these officers. It is appalling that the police department didn’t disclose this video until September 2023.

We express our condolences to Jaahnavi’s family and friends.  This is a tragic loss and now that the video is released, we hope the Seattle Police will end the culture of silence within the police department when officers engage in such cruel and horrific behaviour. 

Indigenous lives matter. Women’s lives matter. International students’ lives matter.  Brown lives matter. Black lives matter.

At home, SALCBC is very concerned about the blatant racist attacks (hate crimes) on international students in Kelowna, BC.

September 11, 2023, a 17 year old international student on his way home from school in Kelowna was assaulted by other youths. The assault started on the bus when the Translink bus driver stopped and told all of the youth to get off the bus instead of calling the police or separating the youth. The international student was further assaulted once he was off the bus.

This is the second attack on International Students using BC Transit in Kelowna this year.  In March 17, 2023 an international student was attacked as he left B.C. Transit.  

BC Transit Driver’s need to stop and call for help when they are witnessing a hate crime and not turn a blind eye and drive away. 

At SALCBC we are very concerned about the increase of racist attacks on South Asian international students in BC. We call on the Kelowna Police Department, Kelowna City Counsel and BC Transit to enact and implement anti-racism measures.

We ask the City of Kelowna to outline what steps they are taking to address the increase of hate crimes in Kelowna.

We call on the Kelowna Police Department to provide ongoing updates about the investigation and charge those involved with the above noted hate crimes against international students. 

SALCBC acknowledges that International Students have limited access to justice. At our clinic we are here to support International Students with legal education, advocacy, resources and limited legal representation in specific areas of the law.  Contact us for further information at info@salcbc.org. 

Founded in 2019, South Asian Legal Clinic of British Columbia (SALCBC) works to promote and advance access to for South Asians living in British Columbia by providing legal services, advocacy, research, public education and engaging in law and policy reform initiatives.