Members of the Okanagan Nation ramped up their protests efforts on Monday, Sept. 21, 2015 as Grace and Pier Robotti, co-accused in the murder of Roxanne Louie, were scheduled to make another courtroom appearance. Photographer: Steve Arstad

Penticton protesters call for justice in Roxanne Louie murder case

PENTICTON – Okanagan Nation members, some on horseback, gathered outside the Penticton courthouse today to demand justice for Roxanne Louie and ask for an investigation into murdered and missing aboriginal women across the country.

The protesters vow to continue to rally whenever Grace and Pier Robotti appear in court. The brother and sister are accused in the murder of Roxanne Louie and were scheduled to appear in court today, Sept. 21.

Louie was reported missing in early January by Grace Robotti and her body was discovered near Chute Lake a few days later.

RCMP cordoned off a block of Main Street as protesters carrying signs reading "Justice for Roxanne" gathered in front of the courthouse before walking across the street to hold a rally at the Gyro Park bandshell. Friends and family members say they were there to press for justice and keep her memory alive.

Penticton Indian Band Chief Jonathan Kruger addressed the crowd from the bandshell calling the investigation into missing and murdered aboriginal women “a big issue – a sad issue.”

Band member Kevin Gabriel says the idea behind the increased size of the protest is to "keep the awareness alive.”

Members of the Okanagan Nation ramped up their protests efforts on Monday, Sept. 21, 2015 as Grace and Pier Robotti, co-accused in the murder of Roxanne Louie, were scheduled to make another courtroom appearance., Protesters, including some on horseback, gathered in bigger numbers than usual outside the Penticton courthouse for an appearance by the co-accused in the Roxanne Louie murder case, Monday, Sept. 21, 2015. Photographer: Steve Arstad

To contact the reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

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One response

  1. Laurie Wilson

    Thanks for the attention Ace! The hardest part of all of this is the amazing lengths that my People have to go to in order to get what everyone else enjoys, everyday…. The post by Ace, unfortunately is the norm for most ordinary Canadians. Sadly, even in the face of truth and logic, this line of thought continues….. This mindset wanted us to die out and go away long, long ago, so the theft of our land, our children would go uncontested…..”Special treatment”….. The reality our “special treatment” is easy to see in almost every publication there is…it must take a ridiculous amount of energy to ignore it all…..we will never be rid of people like Ace…..and he and others like him will never be rid of us!Hopefully, there are enough courageous, ethical and right thinking on both side to ensure a good and fair future for us all…..let’s think on that…..

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Steve Arstad

Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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