Sudbury shelter arrest: S-CAP, city to meet

Morning North4:41Anti-poverty activists arrested at Out of the Cold shelter speak out

Crystal Kimewon was arrested and charged with causing a disturbance at the Out of the Cold shelter in Sudbury last month. The anti-poverty activist was one of three people charged and she feels she was targeted because she's aboriginal.Allegations that the Out of the Cold Shelter in Sudbury is too restrictive have prompted a meeting with Sudbury Coalition Against Poverty andthe city.

The meeting comes after three members of the Sudbury Coalition Against Poverty were charged with causing a disturbance at the shelter last month.

• Sudbury shelter staff call police for help over safety concerns

The coalition members say they were trying to advocate for a man they claim was not permitted to stay at the shelter.

Crystal Kimewon was one of them, and feels she was targeted because of her First Nations heritage. But she said she's not sure she'd file a complaint with police.

There seems to be a dialogue with police right now, she said.

My band fully supports me, so it's definitely something I might individually consider in the future.

At the members first court appearance yesterday, Kimewon reiterated her arrest was racially motivated.

She read from a letter of support sent by the chief of Wikwemikong.

Chief Duke Peltier wrote, the charges must be dropped and the allegation of racism must also be investigated.

Members of the Sudbury Coalition Against Poverty were seen speaking with a member of the police liaison team at the courthouse on Wednesday.

Police said they'll investigate if a complaint is filed.

As for the shelter staff, Major Rob Russell with the Salvation Army issued a statement saying everyone is welcome at the shelter,unless they pose a danger to others.

The City of GreaterSudburypays the Salvation Army to run the shelter.