March for Justice for Ashley

By Noelle Oakes

"We are here to demand justice for Ashley." On December 4, 2021 at 1pm in front of the Cornwall Courthouse there was a gathering of people for the March for Ashley. The group contained people who are outraged and disgusted by the destruction of a life, a young Mohawk woman, Ashley Thompson, at the abusive hands of her partner. The march was to honor the life of Ashley as well to raise awareness of the domestic abuse that occurs across the country, that domestic violence is everywhere and that there are paths out of such toxic situations if you are willing to ask for assistance.

There was plenty of planning that went into the event by Lorraine Thompson, Georgina Lazore, Kashenniiostha Mae, Say Rah and Rebecca Sorrell-Forrester through Facebook, they had numerous volunteers on site the day of the march, to guide the proceedings and support all who participated, including legal observers, COVID-19 support, safety and compassionate volunteers. The volunteers were present for community members to utilize if they needed someone to talk to, because this is an emotional experience, to know how Ashley continues to suffer the results of domestic abuse while supporters marched for her.

The volunteers, participants and leaders of the march wore purple t-shirts that honor Ashley, and the women wore ribbon skirts. The march was led first with good energy with the use of smudging and prayer and land acknowledgment. It was a powerful gathering of youths, elders, men, women, children and domestic violence advocates as they gathered, walked, chanted, sang and drummed on the march; the group was honked at by passing cars in support of the march for Ashley. Lorraine Thompson, Ashley's mother, has never stopped praying and fighting for her daughter, this march was led by her, and her grandchildren.

It gives one hope that there were just as many men as women present at this meeting, the diversity of the crowd was inspiring, it was not only Akwesasronon that were there but people from Cornwall and surrounding area. This topic is universal, they spoke at the beginning of the march that abuse of any kind in relationships are not acceptable, "love should not hurt".

Ashley's former partner Clayton Delorme is to be sentenced on December 8th by Ontario Superior Court Judge Johanne LaFrance-Cardinal for aggravated assault (the incident occurred December 5, 2019) and the maximum penalty for all his charges has led to the crown asking for 15 years to be served consecutively.

"Clayton Delorme is only looking at 15 years and that's totally unacceptable. Considering that our friend Ashley is spending the rest of her life in Long Term Care. That's totally unfair." Georgina Lazore said, when she spoke at the opening of the march with the land acknowledgement, "I really am happy to see each and every one of you out here, helping us demand justice for Ashley."

In the end, Ashley and her children are forever traumatized by that night and their family life is destroyed. She cannot move or speak, and she requires constant care at the long-term care facility on Kawehnoke, Tsiionkwanonhsote. Her children were present during the assault and will require years of healing to recover from that night. Ashley's young son tried his best to protect his mother but the eight-year-old was punched by the abuser Clayton Delorme. The young boy Jerraki and his sister Jennaki ran out screaming from their home in the cold December night with no jacket or shoes. A woman passing by stopped and pick them up and called 911.

Ashley's mother and children require assistance from the community, any gift cards, children's clothing boys 10-12 and girls 10-12, they are small in stature yet, as well as any support that can be given to aid the appointments that Lorraine needs to attend with her daughter in Ottawa, would be appreciated. There is a GoFundMe page online as well further information on Facebook on "March for Ashley David Thompson", where you can access people that have contact with the family and can get any support you want give to the family.

Ashley's mother Lorraine was overwhelmed at the support she has seen for her and family following the incident on December 5, 2019.

"It's a nightmare, it has been for two years now," Lorraine said.

The life changing event has been two years of mourning the relationship she has lost with her daughter and the children have lost the vibrant, beautiful, fun mother they had and have to reconcile how such terrible tragedy could have been prevented by Clayton Delorme simply not abusing her in the first place.

As one of the hosts stated, "We demand Ashley not be another Indigenous woman failed by the justice system, she will become just another statistic." She went on to ask, "Two counts of assault, assaulting police, mischief under $5000, uttering threats and attempting murder, does 15 years sound like justice has been served?"

The answer to this question is a resounding no from the crowd, the reality of the matter is that no matter the prison time that Clayton Delorme serves he will not suffer the way that Ashley and her family suffers.

Ashley's family have in all reality lost a huge aspect of their family, there is a space that Ashley should be occupying right now and it's because of Clayton Delorme's heinous actions that she is not able to be present in her children's lives. Ashley will never return to the person she was, and she and her family have a long road ahead of them accepting that reality.

The march for Ashley was one filled with love, mourning, loss and hope; where we can see where we are right now better than it was thirty years ago; but it still is not sufficient considering how many lives are damaged every year because of violence at home.

Lorraine noted a perfect tribute of her daughter in poster form, painted by artist Tyson Thompson, she saw beauty in that, her girl was still remembered and honored, it made her proud. The march for Ashley was remembrance to a young life cut short by the irrational actions of an abuser. Ashley David Thompson was a mother, a daughter, a niece, a cousin, a granddaughter, a family member and a friend.

Ashley deserved more than just a day, she deserved a life where she is an active participant as her children grow - where she could still speak and move and be free to go on shopping trips with her mom or dance with her daughter or to simply hug her son. We all need to stand up against domestic violence, in any form, male or female, young or old no person deserves to feel so alone that they don't ask for help.

Justice for Ashley and her family.