Shamar Barnett, a 25-year-old man dedicated to his job on a movie set, lost his life in a tragic incident. On June 29, Shamar attended a birthday party hosted by some colleagues in Mississauga, a night from which he would never come back. Around 11 p.m., Peel Regional Police arrived onto Sheril Barnett's doorstep, announcing the worst news a mother could receive: her son had died, purportedly due to an accident of drowning in the deep end of the pool. Shamar was reported to be the only person of color at that party.

This sad and shocking incident has elicited deep concerns in regard to what exactly happened that night. It is disturbing to note that incidents like this occur quite frequently within the Black and Brown communities, a fact that is often met with systemic downsizing and carelessness.

To this day, African Americans represent only 13% of the U.S population yet they make up 37% of the prison population, a poignant illustration of racial disparity in the system in which Shamar's case is being investigated. (source: NAACP Criminal Justice Fact Sheet)

The party attenders, the police, and everyone involved in this case owe Shamar and his family an exhaustively detailed, honest, and transparent account of the events. Therefore, we demand a thorough and unbiased investigation into Shamar's death. We press for solid answers and ultimate justice for Shamar Barnett. We assert that every life matters and it's high time we stop overlooking such incidents based on ethnicity. Shamar's life mattered, and his story must unveil the absolute truth.

Make your voice heard. Join us in this fight for justice. Please sign this petition.