'Hodan matters': Protesters in 3 cities call for accountability after charges stayed in nightclub death

WARNING: This story contains graphic details

Chants from demonstrators emphasizing the value of an Ottawa woman's life and calling for accountability in her death echoed off buildings in Saskatoon's downtown Saturday afternoon.

"Hodan matters, Black lives matter," protesters repeated as they marched along 3rd Avenue from City Hall toward the former location of Lit Nightclub where Hodan Hashi died.

Hashi, 23, was involved in a fatal fight with Paige Theriault-Fisher, 22, at the nightclub located above the Crazy Cactus Restaurant and Lounge last November.

Police originally charged Theriault-Fisher with second-degree manslaughter. That charge was reduced to manslaughter later that same day. 

Earlier in April, the charges against Theriault-Fisher were stayed, meaning the legal proceedings were paused either temporarily or indefinitely, but does not mean the charges were withdrawn.

Demonstrators in Saskatoon were one of three cities across Canada — including in Regina and Ottawa — that gathered to call for justice.

"I think people are under the impression that justice looks like imprisonment or justice looks like a life sentence or something. I don't think justice looks like any of those things because we're an abolitionist group," said Delilah Kamuhanda, co-founder of Black Lives Matter YXE in Saskatoon. 

"I think justice right now looks — for people like the accused or like the person involved in the case — I think it looks like everybody being treated with those privileges."

Before the march began, organizers cautioned demonstrators about discussing the case because of an ongoing $1 million civil lawsuit against Theriault-Fisher and at least one person who uploaded a video of the incident.

Kamuhanda was hesitant to provide her opinion about the case, she said she thinks the "feelings of the community and the feelings of the family is that they would have liked more transparency in the case and ultimately they would like more communication … and then ultimately accountability for the life that was lost."

Videos of the fight were widely circulated on social media and show the two women wrestling on the dance floor of Lit Nightclub.

"People were recording instead of intervening and that has had a huge impact on our community … and the trauma that it created," said Ali Abukar, a member of the Black community who assisted in organizing the event.

Theriault-Fisher is seen repeatedly striking Hashi in the face and neck area. A pool of blood suddenly appears beneath Hashi, blossoming out across the floor. The women are separated, then Hashi stands and staggers a few steps before collapsing.