In downtown Winnipeg, a dramatic incident occurred when a man tried to maneuver his car through a demonstration on Thursday afternoon. The protest, consisting of approximately 50 individuals, had successfully blocked the intersection of Portage Avenue and Main Street to demand accountability following a police car striking and killing a woman near a nearby homeless encampment earlier in the week.

Although police took measures to control the traffic flow around the protest, some vehicles were still able to navigate toward the edge of the demonstration, making right turns. Footage from the event captured the moment when a large sedan approached the protest, where several protesters were blocking the roadway with bicycles. As the car tried to go straight into the intersection, it prompted responses from two activists who leaped onto the hood while another engaged with the driver.

The car then reversed before running over a bicycle held by a woman, who described how she had to move out of the way to avoid being hit, though she did sustain some injuries. After hitting the bicycle, the driver continued on down a side street, prompting protesters to rush to the vehicle where one man stood on the hood and smashed the windshield. The driver, seemingly confused and covered in blood, exited the car claiming he was just trying to visit a relative.

Law enforcement shortly began questioning the driver and appeared to seek witness accounts from anyone struck by the vehicle, while the investigation into the incident continued without any arrests. A police statement indicated that the collaborating police liaison team had spoken with the cyclist involved, who opted out of receiving medical assistance or further police engagement. Additionally, other protesters involved had already left the scene by the time police arrived.

This protest stemmed from frustrations surrounding the death of a woman at the homeless encampment, with police revealing that officers were in the area for another matter when the fatal incident occurred. The woman’s identity has not been disclosed to the public, and details of the collision are under investigation by the province's Independent Investigation Unit. During the protest, Lori Bateman, one of the demonstrators and sister to the deceased, expressed her grief and called for justice, highlighting the vulnerable living situation of those in the encampment.

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs also called for a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal encounter. Grand Chief Cathy Merrick articulated in a release that the incident represents more than just a tragic occurrence, suggesting that it reflects a troubling pattern of police engagement that can lead to serious consequences. The demonstration concluded with a march towards police headquarters, where protesters marked the building with painted handprints as a symbolic gesture of their demands for accountability.