Former Winnipegger afraid sons, husband could be killed by American police for being black

Former WinnipeggerSimone Robertson says she can't fall asleep until she knows all of her "black kings," as she calls her husband and threesons,are safe at home. She'sterrified they couldbe shot orkilled by police.

Robertsonmoved to the United States about 20 years ago, when she met her American husbandin Minneapolis, and the family now lives in California.

One of her sons islearning to drive.

"Once [he]starts driving, and he gets on the road and makes a wrong turn, or rolls through a stop sign, and a cop pulls him over, is this the last time I will see him? I worry that will be something that will cause him to lose his life," she said.

Withheadline news about black individualsbeing shot by police officers in the U.S., Robertson saidshe and her husband have been talking about where they could move to feelsafer. At first, they thought Minnesota, but their opinion quickly changed after a shooting in that state.

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Robertson saidher husband, a mechanical engineerwho worksfor amajor American firm, has beenpulled over at least six times so far this year because of what theybelievewas racial profiling.

Pulled over 'every other week'

"The police have asked him if there is a warrant out for him, if he is on parole or probation. My husband is squeaky clean. No one in our family has ever been involved with the law. I just couldn't believe it. Every other week he gets pulled over. I don't want him to drive that car anymore or give it to our 15-year-old son,"Robertson said.

Her husband drives a sporty car. He spenttwo days of their son'sdrivereducation teaching him how to comply with police if stopped,how to hold his hands inside the carand how to talk to an officer.

"He said, 'Iwill put my left hand here on the steering wheel. With my right hand, officer, I am reaching over and opening the glove compartment where the registration and insurance are. I am reaching over right now, officer, and getting them out of the glove box,'" she said."Then he told [him] to put his hand right back on the steering wheel and hold it thereso police can see."

Danger ifpulled over

Robertson saidshe feels sick at the thought of her husband or son having trouble with their car on the road. She hopes AAA gets to them before police.

"What if he has a flat and has a tire iron in his hand and a police officer rolls up. What if they think it's a gun? It's another excuse for them to kill him. It's sad I think that way," she said.

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Robertson saidshe wasn't always afraid of police who are supposed to serve and protect. In Winnipeg, she was never scared to talk to an officer for help. Now, when a police car pulls up to her, she shudders and starts to sweat.

"I am scared you are going to kill my son. I am scared you are going to kill my husband. As a mother, I live in fear all the time until I know they are home safe. If they are late, I don't think they are in an accident. My first thoughtis'Oh God, they have been stopped by police,'" said Robertson.

Uncertain future

Robertson wants to come home to Winnipeg.

"I am a mom, and all I can think about is my babies. I want to take them to Winnipeg and hope they can grow up like we grew up," she reminisces.

"I know things have changed in Winnipeg, but I feel safer there than I do here. It's always home."

And with an American election in the new year, her fear is escalating. She worries that the views ofRepublican presidential candidate Donald Trump, who has been accused of promoting non-acceptance,will perpetuate what is happening now.

"I want Canadians to know the fear is very real. That what they are seeing in a picture on social media or a video, or livestreaming on Facebook, is very real. Before it used to be a quiet little secret. Now you are seeing what is happening to people every day."