Supporters rally for Colten Boushie at Saskatoon, Regina courthouses

Rallies showing support for the family of Saskatchewan shooting victim Colten Boushie were held at provincial courthouses in Saskatoon and Regina on Thursday. 

Boushie, 22, was a passenger in a car with four other people when he was shot and killed on Aug. 9 on a farm near Biggar, Sask. His family said the group was going to ask for help with a flat tire.

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Police charged Gerald Stanley, 54, with second-degree murder in connection with the shooting. He entered a not guilty plea in North Battleford Provincial Court on Thursday morning. A bail hearing for Stanley was also scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at the Court of Queen's Bench in Battleford the same day.

The shooting death has sparked a heated racial debate on social media, prompting condemnations from Premier Brad Wall and the National Farmer's Union. 

Supporters of Boushie organized a rally event called "Justice for Colten" in front of the North Battleford provincial court at 8:30 a.m.

An emotion-charged crowd of 200 people, including Boushie's family and friends, gathered at the courthouse for Stanley's appearance in North Battleford. 

Jackie Crowe led the rally in Saskatoon. After Boushie's death led to shocking racism online, she said she penned a letter for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Premier Brad Wall and Saskatoon city council, calling for an end to racism.

"I'm tired of people saying there isn't racism, I'm tired of people making excuses for their racism and I think it's time it stops, it's just been too much," Crowe said.

Crowe added racism is something that needs to be addressed by the justice system, saying there should be consequences to racism and hate-speech.

During a moment of silence and a prayer for Boushie, Crowe said all she could think about was Boushie's mother and grandmother and the pain they must be feeling in the wake of the shooting.

"I was thinking of her and her pain and what she must be going through. The grandmother broke my heart … I thought about Colten's grandmother, who has expressed that she relied on him for support and help and that he was a good boy and he was there for her," she said.

"My heart is also with the survivors, I can't imagine what they're going through, I imagine they must be scared and that's heartbreaking."

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After the North Battleford rally, Boushie supporters moved to the Court of Queen's Bench in Battleford for Stanley's bail hearing.

North Battleford RCMP said before the rallies they were bringing in extra members for security.