Hundreds honour memory of Regis Korchinski-Paquet at memorial, 'walk for justice'

Hundreds took part in apublic memorial inToronto on Saturday afternoon to honour a Black woman who fell to her death from a balcony while police were in her apartment.

Regis Korchinski-Paquet, 29, died on May 27.

The memorial beganoutside the family's apartment building at 100 High Park Avenue, andwasfollowed by the first annual "Regis Korchinski-Paquet Walk for Justice" ending in High Park.

"We're honouring Regis'life today. This is not a rally or an action but an honouring and a ceremony. It's a march of love and decency and dignity what she deserves," said Ravyn Wngz, a Black trans activist with Black Lives Matter Toronto.

The family, dressed in white, arrived at the memorial alongside a horse-drawn carriage carrying a white casket.

People brought flowers and carried signs that said, "defund the police," and "justice for Regis."

Following the memorial, the family and attendees marched throughHigh Park, where there were speechesand performances.

LaTania Willis, Regis' aunt, saidthe family has been overwhelmed by the support of the community during this time.

WillistoldCBC News her niece was a wonderful person and that the family appreciates that people have taken the time to honour her memory and her life.

"She was a good person. She was kind. She was smart and she loved everybody. We're very grateful that people have come out to support us," Willis said in tears.

Police have said they were called to the apartment on May 27 for a possible assault, but Korchinski-Paquet's mother has said she wanted police to take her daughter to a mental health facility in Toronto.

The province's police watchdog is investigating the circumstances surrounding her death, and have said a report could come as early as August.

Knia Singh, alawyer who representsthe Korchinski-Paquet's family, told reporters earlier this month that he has put togethera legal team to conduct a secondary investigation into the 29-year-old woman's death.

The family has ordered a second autopsy and the SIU indicated that it will not release the results of its investigation until the second post-mortem examination is complete.

High Park Avenue is currently closed between Bloor and Dundas streets for the memorial.