Family of Black man injured in violent arrest sues Quebec City, police force for $180K

The family of Pacifique Niyokwizera is suing the City of Quebecand its police forcefor $180,000after the young Black man was injured during a police intervention last fall.

On Nov. 27,Service de police de la ville de Qubec(SPVQ) officers were filmed striking and kicking snow in the face of then 18-year-old Niyokwizara while he was being restrained on the ground outside theDagobert night club.

His family alleges the officers held Niyokwizeradown and "beat him until he suffered a concussion and significant swelling in the face, including a bloody and swollen eye," according to the statement of claim obtained by Radio-Canada.

Niyokwizera's mother and two sisters are claiming a total of $180,000 from Quebec City and the SPVQ for injuries, troubles, stress and inconveniences thar resulted from the arrest, according to the statement of claim.

The video of the altercation was shared widely on social media at the time, reignitingdiscussions ofracial profiling and the use of force during police interventions.

After the incident, Public Security MinisterGenevive Guilbault asked QuebecPolice Ethics CommissionerMarc-Andr Dowdto investigate the police officersinvolved in the arrest.

In December, the five officers weresuspended with payas part of an "evolving investigation." All have since returned to work.

Lawyer says racial profiling was involved

Niyokwizera's family lawyer, Fernando Belton, believes the police had no valid reason to arrest the young man last fall.

"We are talking about an arrest that is unfounded. An arrest that is unjustified in the facts. An arrest for which a police officer has neither reasonable suspicion nor reasonable cause to believe that an offence has been committed," he said.

Beltonalso arguesthat the young Black man was harmed because of the colour of his skin, having said in December the arrestwas "definitely a case of racial profiling."

Quebec City Mayor Bruno Marchand refused an interview with Radio-Canada, but his press secretary confirmed the city has been informed of the legal action.

"We will take the time to evaluate the cases filed with our teams and we will not comment given the legal nature of the case," ThomasGaudreaultsaid in a statement.

The SPVQwould notcomment on the lawsuit, as the Police Ethics Commissioner is still investigating.