Winnipeg taxi driver charged with assault, forcible confinement of woman in cab

Winnipeg police have charged a taxi driverafter a woman says she was attacked and dragged by a vehicle before escaping.

Serenity Morrisseausays a Unicity Taxidriver assaulted her and locked her inside the cabin the early hours of Sunday, Sept. 26.

Winnipeg police announced Wednesday that they have charged the driver, a 44-year-old man fromWinnipeg, with assault and forcible confinement.

In a Facebook video posted on Wednesday, Morrisseau's mother, Tracy Bone, said thisincident would be a turning point for Indigenous women who face racism.

"So many people have shared the story and so many people have been following, and I just wanted to say thank you," Bonesaid in the 30-minute video.

Morrisseau, who is First Nations, came forward with allegations against the driver in a news conference lastTuesday at the offices of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.

The organization said the womanshared her story to raise awareness of concerns of First Nations people regarding taxis.

"It's not that these things are any surprise to us, because this is the reality of the life that we live everyday and the obstacles and challenges that we face as Indigenous women on these streets," Bone said in the video.

A spokesperson for Unicity Taxi declined the CBC's request for comment, stating the matter is before the courts.

Last Wednesday, at least 100 people gathered for a protest in front of Unicity Taxi headquarters on Hargrave Street.