Vigil for woman struck down by vehicle temporarily shuts down Winnipeg bridge

Posted on August 30, 2024 by Peggy

More than 100 people showed up to a vigil on the Winnipeg bridge where a woman was struck and killed almost three weeks ago, demanding answers.

The vigil for Doris Porter started at 6 p.m. Friday, shutting down traffic at the intersection of Main Street and Redwood Avenue for about half an hour before marchers moved across the Harry Lazarenko Bridge. The vigil wrapped up about an hour after.

City police said a 49-year-old woman was lying on the bridge — formerly called the Redwood Bridge — when she was hit by a westbound vehicle on Aug. 10.

The family has called on police to do a thorough investigation into the death.

A portrait of a woman — The family of Doris Porter says police have failed to keep them updated on the investigation into her death. (Arturo Chang/CBC)

A red dress with the words “Justice for Doris” was painted in the middle of the bridge, where protesters stopped before continuing to make their way eastbound.

‘We just need answers’

The marchers — including some of Porter’s daughters and other members of her family — chanted slogans like “no justice, no peace,” and “no more stolen sisters.”

“She was beautiful. She was a strong, Indigenous woman,” Sasha Bushie, Porter’s niece, told the crowd on behalf of the family.

“She did not deserve to have her life taken this way, but we refuse to have our mother become another statistic or a headline.”

People surrounding a painting — A red dress with the words ‘Justice for Doris’ was painted in the middle of the bridge, where protesters stopped before continuing to make their way eastbound. (Arturo Chang/CBC)

Bushie said police have failed to keep the family updated on the investigation, and that they haven’t followed up on some of the information they’ve provided.

“Not knowing exactly what happened to her is tearing us apart. We just need answers,” she said. “Our mother deserves justice.”

On Friday, police said the investigation is still ongoing, and that they did not have any updates to provide.

Bushie urged anyone with any information related to the death — including people who were near the bridge on Aug. 10 between 1 and 2 a.m. — to come forward to police.

WATCH | Marchers demand justice for Doris Porter:

Marchers demand justice for woman who died after being hit by a vehicle on Winnipeg bridge

1 hour ago

Duration 0:56

More than 100 people showed up to a vigil on the Winnipeg bridge where a woman was struck and killed almost three weeks ago, demanding answers. Police say Doris Porter, 49, died on Aug. 10 after being hit by a vehicle on the Harry Lazarenko Bridge.