Vanessa Rentería Valencia

Black Colombian refugee fatally shot by Surrey RCMP

By: Sofia Chassomeris, News Writer Content warning: mentions of death, police violence, racism, and domestic abuse. On September 19, Vanessa Rentería Valencia, a Black Colombian refugee and mother, was killed in her Surrey home by BC Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). One week later, several organizations, including the Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS), formed a coalition to host a press conference and demand a full investigation for Rentería Valencia. Since 1979, the BWSS has worked to advocate and provide support for women experiencing abuse, with the goal of ending violence against women and girls.  The Independent Investigations Office of BC…

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