Justice For Tony
My loving brother, a kind uncle, and an unwavering friend, Anthony (Tony) Divers, was shot and killed UNARMED by a Hamilton Police Service (HPS) officer in the middle of James Street on the night of September 30, 2016. He was only 36 years old. This tragic event has left our family broken, and asking “why?” Why did this happen, how was it allowed to happen, and who is going to be held accountable?
I want to take a moment to tell you a little about my baby brother, the man behind the headlines. My brother taught me to never judge people. He was always willing to help a friend out, and often put others’ needs before his own. He believed in standing up for what you believed was right. He had goals and ambitions, and was always striving for more out of life. He never stopped trying to be better. He loved my daughters so much, and it was so very painful having to explain to my young daughter, Lola, that her Uncle Tony wouldn’t be able to make it to her birthday party this year, as the tears rolled down her face and she asked “when is he coming back?”
My brother was a human being. A human being who deserved better than to be shot down, unarmed, in the middle of the street on that chilly September night.
The more chilling thought is that it could have been anyone. There were two shots fired that night. One hit my brother in the chest. The other could have hit a bystander. It’s terrifying to think that these officers, who are just ordinary people underneath their uniforms, have that much power… that they decide who lives and dies. If you ask me, that’s a pretty huge responsibility that shouldn’t be taken lightly. These cops should be thoroughly trained in methods of de-escalation, and how to deal with citizens who may be in mental distress, like my brother was. It shouldn’t be “shoot to kill.”
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU), is conducting an investigation into what happened that night and why. Although, we have little faith that justice will prevail. The SIU is made up predominantly of ex-police officers, which raises the question of transparency. My family doesn’t know when we’ll hear back from them, and we need answers.
The truth is, my family could really use your help. I have four young daughters to take care of, and we’re struggling to get by. Our family needs help paying for the funeral, the cost of saying goodbye to our brother, our friend, and confidante. We need your help with raising funds to hire a professional to conduct our own investigation, and for legal fees. Our goal of $10,000 will help get this process started, and maybe, just maybe, we’ll finally get the answers and closure our family so desperately needs right now. We’re broken, and I don’t know how to piece us back together.
Any donation helps. Even if you can’t donate, please share this campaign. Put yourself in our shoes for a minute. If this happened to your brother, or sister, what would you do?
My family is never going to stop fighting for justice for our brother, Tony, and all of the other victims who have suffered at the hands of the HPS. We’re going to continue to seek answers and work towards change. I hope that if you read this all the way until here, you’ll stand with us, share our story, and always stand up for what you believe in. Change doesn’t happen from the top-down, it happens from the bottom-up. Change doesn’t happen when we stay silent and continue to let those in positions of authority bully us into submission. Change happens when we fight. And fight we will.
Thank you for your love and support. We are forever grateful.
"Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are." - Benjamin Franklin
