Philando Castile's mother joins the march for Justine Damond
One is still fighting after her son's death at the hands of police last year. The other is reeling from the loss of his fiancee just days ago.
Valerie Castile and Don Damond met for the first time Thursday evening, CNN reports, before a march through the streets of south Minneapolis calling for justice and healing following the police shooting death of Justine Damond.
Castile helped lead the start of the march, in which hundreds of people took part. The group walked to Beard’s Plaissance Park – less than a mile from where Justine Damond was shot and killed by officer Mohammed Noor.
Facebook page the The Civic Observer took video from the scene.
"They're beginning to understand this is not a black or white thing. This is a human being thing," Castile said at the rally according to CNN, echoing what she said after the officer who shot her son Philando Castile was acquitted.
Others spoke to the crowd at the rally, including mayoral candidate Nekima Levy-Pounds.
Justine Damond's death
Justine Damond – also known by the name Justine Ruszczyk – was 40 years old, an Australian native who was set to marry Don Damond in August.
On Saturday night, she called police after hearing a possible sexual assault. By 11:30 p.m. she was shot and killed, with few answers as to what prompted officer Noor to fire his weapon.
Australia's Daily Telegraph branded the shooting an "American Nightmare."
On Tuesday, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull commented on the Sydney native's death, calling it "inexplicable" and demanding answers from American authorities, as reported by ABC Australia.
"How can a woman out in the street in her pajamas seeking assistance from the police be shot like that?" he asked. "It is a shocking killing, it is inexplicable."
Thursday afternoon, Minneapolis Police Chief Janeé Harteau said Justine Damond's death "should not have happened."
